ENG-1986 — Page 241

TRANSPORT

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re-exports, imports by air made up about 21 per cent, exports by air about 28 per cent and re-exports by air about 19 per cent in value terms respectively. The United States was the major market for exports and re-exports by air, accounting for 50 per cent and 24 per cent respectively, of the trade.

An increase of 8.5 per cent in aircraft movements was recorded, bringing the annual total to 64 770. More than 80 per cent of the aircraft calling at Hong Kong were wide-bodied.

The number of airlines using Hong Kong International Airport and the overall frequency of their operations remained substantially unchanged. During the year, some 30 scheduled airlines operated about 1 100 scheduled flights weekly between Hong Kong and some 70 other cities. The scheduled air services network covered Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, North America, Australasia and Asia. In addition, an average of 75 non-scheduled flights each week were operated between Hong Kong and Europe, the United States, Australia and Asia.

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The year saw the introduction of Cathay Pacific Airways' scheduled services to Peking, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam and San Francisco and the re-introduction of scheduled services to Auckland and Nagoya. A total of 22.5 per cent of Cathay Pacific Airways' shares were offered for sale, 15 per cent being allocated to the public and the airline's employees. The airline has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since May. Cathay Pacific Airways placed an order with Boeing for two B747-400 aircraft with options for a further seven B747-400's and two B747-300's, and converted an option for a B747 freighter into a firm order. Cathay Pacific Airways was also the launch customer for the Rolls Royce RB211-524-D4D engines for the B747-400.

Hong Kong Dragon Airlines continued to operate B737 non-scheduled services between Hong Kong and a number of cities in China, other Asian countries and Micronesia.

In May, the Air Transport Licensing Authority granted Hong Kong Dragon Airlines a licence to operate scheduled services to four cities in Thailand. In July, the ATLA granted Cathay Pacific Airways licences to operate scheduled services to Manchester and Amsterdam.

Work continued on the extension of the Airport Passenger Terminal Building and is expected to be completed in 1988. The capacity of the terminal building will then be almost doubled to 18 million passengers per annum.

In May, work started on a 22-month-long project to provide paved shoulders along the full length of the runway to overcome severe soil erosion problems on the grass areas adjacent to the runway. During the entire contract period of the project, the runway will be closed to aircraft operations from 0001 to 0845 hours daily.

In June, a Doppler VOR/DME long-range radio navigation aid on Tung Lung Island was commissioned for operational use. This replaced obsolete VOR/DME equipment at Mount Kellett which had been in use for more than 20 years.

The Civil Aviation (Aircraft Noise) Ordinance, which empowers the government to prohibit aircraft not meeting international noise standards from landing and taking off in Hong Kong, was enacted in June, but by the end of the year had not been brought into operation. A noise study into the effects of helicopter operations at the Fenwick Pier Street helipad on the nearby Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts showed that subject to certain restrictions on helicopter types and flight paths, there was no significant adverse effect. A tenancy agreement for the use of the facility for a further five years was therefore approved by the Executive Council.

Air-conditioned coaches with large luggage storage capacity were introduced on bus services between the airport and Hong Kong Island and Tsim Sha Tsui.