ENG-2000 — Page 317

TRANSPORT

cent in value terms, of Hong Kong's total imports, exports and re-exports respectively in 2000.

Hong Kong International Airport and the Airport Authority

Passenger Facilities

The $2.1 billion Northwest Concourse of the HKIA's passenger terminal was opened on January 20. The concourse is about 300 metres long and 34 000 square metres in size. It brings the total floor area of the passenger terminal to 550 000 square metres, increasing the size of what was already one of the largest buildings of its type in the world. The opening of the concourse has increased the total number of airbridges from 37 to 48, thereby allowing up to 95 per cent of passengers to board or disembark directly from or to the terminal. It has also expanded the passenger terminal's capacity from 35 million to 45 million passengers a year.

The Airport Authority (AA) has put in place various measures to better serve the needs of transfer passengers, who accounted for about 29 per cent of total passengers at the HKIA in 2000. These include measures to shorten the minimum connection time between flights and the development of retail and catering outlets in the transfer areas. A number of 'cyber-themed' attractions were introduced, including several multimedia lounges, an internet cafe, and 'cyber' shops. The HKIA also became one of the world's first airports to have wireless access to the Internet A second pay-for- use premium lounge and Arrivals Duty Free outlets were also opened.

To enhance the airport environment, the AA undertook a $46.5 million landscape improvement programme during the year. More than two million trees and seedlings were planted, including 2 287 bauhinia trees (whose flower is the emblem of the HKSAR). The programme will provide a fitting, natural complement to the airport's impressive architecture.

Cargo Facilities

In August, the AA awarded a licence to operate and manage a Marine Cargo Terminal (MCT) to Chu Kong Air-Sea Union Transportation Co. Ltd, for a period of five years. The terminal will allow the HKIA to offer truly intermodal cargo links air, sea, and land. The facility will have an annual capacity of 300 000 tonnes. Its target opening date is April 2001. Initially, it will have cargo services to and from at least 16 ports in the Pearl River Delta.

To attract more cargo business to the HKIA, the AA invited tenders in October for the development and management of a logistics centre on the airport island. This centre will provide value-added logistics services such as product assembly, labelling and packaging, inventory control, automated storage and retrieval, and various e-commerce services.

To meet the strong growth in cargo traffic, the AA will provide eight more cargo aircraft parking stands in 2001, bringing the total number of dedicated cargo aircraft stands to 21.

Airport Charges and AA's Credit Rating

A supplementary scheme of airport charges for helicopters came into effect on September 1. Under this charging structure, the minimum landing charge is $331.5

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