ENG-2009 — Page 332

264 Transport

screening channels. All improvements to the Arrivals Immigration Hall are scheduled for completion in early 2011.

Preparation for Growth

To maintain HKIA's competitiveness, the Airport Authority (AA) has a three-tier planning process, comprising an annual budget, a rolling five-year plan, and a 20-year plan that is updated every five years. During the year, the AA worked on the HKIA Master Plan 2030, a 20-year blueprint comprising updated air traffic forecasts, capacity requirements, development plans and growth strategies. The HKIA Master Plan 2030 study will also review the airport's layout and land use policy, including the environmental and engineering feasibility of building a third runway.

Air Services

Under the specific authorisation of the Central Government, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government continues to negotiate and conclude bilateral air services agreements with aviation partners to provide the legal framework for scheduled air services between Hong Kong and other places. At present, there are a total of 61 such agreements.

The Government also reviews the traffic rights arrangements with its partners to expand Hong Kong's aviation network and to allow more competition in the market. In 2009, the Government expanded traffic arrangements with 10 aviation partners.

During the year, the Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) granted nine new licences: five to Cathay Pacific Airways and four to Hong Kong Dragon Airlines. The Procedural Guide on ATLA's procedures for processing licence applications is available at: www.thb.gov.hk/eng/boards/transport/air/atla_procedural_guide.pdf.

Cathay Pacific Airways (CPA) took delivery of five Boeing B777-300ER passenger aircraft, four Boeing 747-400ERF freighters and one Boeing 747-400 BCF freighter during the year, bringing its fleet size to 126 aircraft. By the end of the year, CPA operated scheduled services to 59 destinations worldwide, with the addition of cargo services to Houston and Miami, and passenger services to Jeddah.

Hong Kong Dragon Airlines (HDA) continued to focus on regional routes. The airline launched scheduled passenger air services to Guangzhou during the year. By the end of the year, HDA was operating scheduled services to 26 destinations, including 15 cities in the Mainland with its fleet of 30 passenger aircrafts.

Air Hong Kong focused on its all-cargo services in Asia. The airline operated scheduled services to 11 destinations.

Hong Kong Express Airways (HKE) continued to develop regional scheduled air services. By the end of the year, HKE operated scheduled services to 11 destinations in the Mainland, Japan and Southeast Asia with its five aircraft.

Hong Kong Airlines (CRK) restructured its network with its alliance airline HKE. By the end of the year, CRK operated scheduled services to seven destinations in Asia.