ENG-2009 — Page 333

Transport 265

Regarding non-Hong Kong airlines, 13 airlines commenced scheduled services to Hong Kong in 2009, three operating passenger services and 10 operating all- cargo services. For passenger services, Kingfisher Airlines launched its services. between Mumbai and Hong Kong in September. In October, Zest Airways commenced services between Clark and Hong Kong and in December, Air Pacific launched its services between Nadi and Hong Kong.

For all-cargo services, Grandstar Cargo International Airlines of the Mainland and PT Cardig Air of Indonesia commenced services in February; Cargolux Italia of Italy and Deccan Cargo and Express Logistics of India in June; AeroLogic of Germany and D.E.T.A. Air of Kazakhstan in July; Cargoitalia of Italy, Jade Cargo International of the Mainland and TNT Airways of Belgium in September; and ACG Air Cargo of Germany in November.

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Regarding the development of helicopter services in Hong Kong, the expansion works of the cross-boundary heliport at the Hong Kong Macao Ferry Terminal were completed in September. The Government has also reserved a site at the Kai Tak Development Area for another cross-boundary heliport. As for domestic helicopter services, the Government has, after consulting the industry and other stakeholders, allowed commercial helicopters to share the use of the Wan Chai Temporary Helipad with the Government Flying Service pending the completion of the permanent government helipad near the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Updating of Aviation Legislation

To implement the latest international standards and applicable international practices in relation to airworthiness, aircraft equipment, safety management, data preservation and personnel licensing, the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 was amended in 2008 and the amendments took effect from January 2009.

Air Traffic Control

The air traffic control system continued to operate smoothly during the year. It handled 280 500 movements at HKIA and 141 361 over-flights, including traffic to and from Macao, representing a slight reduction of 7.28 and 8.64 per cent over 2008 respectively. The average daily flight movements at HKIA was 768. Despite the global economic downturn, continuous efforts were made by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) to enhance the airspace and flight procedures design that contributed to the increase in the runway capacity from 56 to 58 flight movements per hour during the year.

CAD also successfully implemented a set of new arrival air routes in October to facilitate air traffic coming to Hong Kong through the western part of the Hong Kong Flight Information Region. With the rationalisation of air traffic operations, the commissioning of these new air routes is expected to shorten air journey distances by more than 10 million kilometres, or 12 000 hours in flight time per year.

Aircraft Operation and Airworthiness

CAD, the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Macao Civil Aviation Authority signed a Co-operation Arrangement on Mutual Acceptance of Certificates