ENG-2002 — Page 328

TRANSPORT

272

The department granted Aircraft Maintenance Training Organisation Approvals to the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited and the Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Company Limited in February and March, respectively. At the same time, CAD implemented a new Aircraft Maintenance Training Requirement to provide a training standard for aircraft maintenance certifying staff. It prescribes the requirement to be met by organisations seeking approval to conduct approved basic training for certifying staff as specified in the AML.

Aviation Security

The Aviation Security Ordinance and Regulation constitute the comprehensive local legislation for implementation of the conventions and agreements on aviation security promulgated by the ICAO. The Hong Kong Aviation Security Programme (HKASP), which was developed by the Government and in consultation with the airport operators, airlines and other concerned parties, stipulates the aviation security requirements for the various operators at the HKIA. The implementation of these requirements is closely monitored by the Government to ensure that they meet international standards. In May, the CAD hosted the Asia Pacific Regional Aviation Security and Facilitation Seminar for the ICAO. Over 100 delegates from the Asia-Pacific region attended the seminar and discussed the latest development in issues on aviation security and facilitation after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

To further enhance cockpit door security, the CAD issued a Flight Operations Notice and an Airworthiness Notice during the year to reflect the mandatory cockpit security requirements in accordance with the ICAO standards. Hong Kong operators are required to comply with the requirements by November 1, 2003.

International Transportation and Logistics Hub

"Trading and Logistics' is an important sector of the economy, accounting for about 25.9 per cent of Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product. Hong Kong is a major international and regional transportation and logistics hub, and for many years has maintained its position as the world's busiest container port and a leading international air cargo handling centre. This achievement is due to the people who run the services and facilities the investors as well as the efficient workforce. It is also the result of a productive blend of private and public sector cooperation.

Hong Kong has a port and an airport that are efficient, reliable and well-connected, facilitating the development of the logistics industry. In the case of air cargo, every week there are about 4 100 scheduled passenger and all-cargo flights to some 140 destinations. With its dual runways, the airport has the capacity to accept the anticipated future increases in demands comfortably.

The HKSAR also has the most productive and efficient container terminals and the biggest private terminal operator in the world. A comprehensive network of container line services connects the port of Hong Kong with over 500 destinations world-wide. A new container terminal, CT9, is under construction, with its first berth scheduled for completion in 2003. When the six-berth CT9 becomes fully operational by 2005, Hong Kong's container terminals will have a total handling capacity of about 15 million TEUS.

Necessary measures continued to be taken during the year to further strengthen the air transport infrastructure. The Government's Economic Development and Labour Bureau signed three and initialled three new air services agreements (ASAs). This