ENG-1994 — Page 326

THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME

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per cent of the 1 248-hectare airport platform, had been formed. By April, enough land had been prepared for work to begin on the terminal building foundations. The contract for this was awarded in May and is due for completion by March 1995, when the actual terminal construction will be able to begin.

Passenger Terminal

Detailed design work for the passenger terminal building was completed at the end of August, within the construction budget. With construction of the terminal foundations underway, the new airport has advanced to a stage at which the main contracts related to terminal construction can move ahead.

The passenger terminal complex, with its architecture inspired by the concept of flight, will be the focal point of the airport and a dynamic gateway to Hong Kong. Over 1.2 kilometres long and with a gross floor area of 490 000 square metres, it will be strategically located between the airport's two runways at the northeastern end of the island. On opening, the airport will have 57 aircraft gates with the capacity to process 35 million passengers annually. An automated people-mover, a driverless train system, will operate between the processing terminal and the far end of the 750-metre concourse. A gross floor area of 30 000 square metres will be allocated in the arrivals and departures halls and concourse for 150 commercial and retail outlets and services. The PAA, the MTRC and consultants are working on the preliminary design for a ground transportation centre adjacent to the passenger terminal.

Airside Developments

Commercial opportunities at Chek Lap Kok will be as diverse as Hong Kong's own economic profile. As a business, the PAA will encourage private sector participation to provide a world-class, user-friendly airport with support services at competitive prices for all airport users passengers, air-cargo shippers, commercial franchisees and

concessionaires alike.

Over the past year, the franchise award process for the main airside support services continued to advance and, in line with the Provisional Airport Authority's stated policy of competition and choice, more than one franchise will be awarded for the main support services in respect of air cargo handling, aircraft maintenance and aircraft catering. One franchise will be awarded for the aviation fuel supply system but competition will be ensured through the provision of open access, under which all qualified fuel suppliers will be able to put fuel into the system for delivery to aircraft. The franchises are due to be awarded in early 1995.

Government Facilities

Government facilities at Chek Lap Kok are estimated to cost $5,539 million in MOD. Funds amounting to $3,113 million have been obtained for the construction of the air traffic control complex and tower; procurement of air traffic control, meteorological and postal mechanisation equipment; and related consultancies and construction works. By the end of the year, the government had awarded 14 contracts totalling about $1 billion in value. Tenders for the remaining works such as the Government Flying Services headquarters, police station, fire station and air mail centre will be invited in early 1995.

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