ENG-2011 — Page 326

282 | Transport

Public views on the two options were collected and analysed, and a recommendation was made to the Government in December 2011.

Recognitions

Renowned for its operational efficiency, service excellence and an extensive international aviation network, the airport has been named continuously as the 'world's best airport' for about 50 times over the years.

In 2011, the Airports Council International named HKIA as the world's best airport for five consecutive years among those serving over 40 million passengers a year. It was included in the organisation's Director General's Roll of Excellence which recognises airports that ranked among the top five in Airport Service Quality for five consecutive years.

HKIA was also voted the 'World's Best Airport' by Skytrax for the eighth time; the 'Best Airport in China' by Business Traveller China for the fifth time; the most efficient Asian airport for the fifth consecutive year by the Air Transport Research Society; and the 'Best Airport' for the ninth time at the TTG Travel Awards 2011. It was also voted the 'Best International Airport' by Condé Nast Traveller and the 'World's Most Loved Airport' by CNNGo.

Air Services

Under the specific authorisation of the Central People's Government, the HKSAR 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 61 such agreements.

The Government also reviews the traffic rights arrangements with its aviation. partners to expand Hong Kong's aviation network and to allow more competition in the market. In 2011, the Government expanded traffic rights arrangements with seven aviation partners.

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

During the year, CPA received 13 aircraft, including six Boeing 777-300ER, four Boeing 747-8 freighters and three Airbus A330-300 aircraft. By the end of the year, CPA operated scheduled services to 65 destinations worldwide, including a newly added cargo service to Spain with its fleet of 136 aircraft.

Hong Kong Dragon Airlines (HDA) suspended scheduled passenger services to Sendai after the earthquake in Japan in March. By the end of the year, HDA was operating regional scheduled services to 29 destinations, including 15 cities in the Mainland with its fleet of 32 passenger aircraft.