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Transport

construction will take about eight years to complete, according to the Airport Authority, which will self-finance the project at an estimated $141.5 billion in money-of-the-day prices.

The Airport Authority implements environmental measures as committed in the environmental impact assessment report and in compliance with the Environmental Permit conditions to achieve conservation alongside development. A high-level advisory committee chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing provides views on major issues concerning the 3RS and helps the government monitor the Airport Authority's implementation of the project.

When the 3RS is put into operation, the airport's yearly handling capacity will increase almost 50 per cent to 620,000, enabling it to cope with Hong Kong's long-term air traffic demand. The Airport Authority estimates the airport will handle about 100 million passengers and nine million tonnes of cargo annually by 2030.

Grooming Talent

The Airport Authority established the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy in 2016 to train local and regional air transport management talent. The academy provides training ranging from youth programmes to on-the-job training for airport employees to master's degree programmes. It also works with the École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile of France, the largest aeronautics and civil aviation college in Europe, to deliver a set of joint programmes for aviation talent. In June, the government signed a Protocol of Cooperation with the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile of France to further joint efforts in training officials of the civil aviation authorities of Southeast Asian countries, in tandem with the International Civil Aviation Organisation's 'No Country Left Behind' campaign to help developing countries enhance their civil aviation development process.

Recognition

The airport has won about 70 awards as best airport since opening in 1998. It was again. honoured by TTG's Travel Hall of Fame, an accolade it has held since winning the magazine's 'Best Airport' award 10 consecutive times. For the seventh time, it received the 'Top Asian Airport Efficiency Excellence Award' from the Air Transport Research Society. Commendations also came from the air freight industry, including the 'Best Global Airport' title from Asia Cargo News and 'Asia Pacific Airport of the Year - Industry Choice Award' from Payload Asia. The airport was also praised by voters in the annual Skytrax World Airport Awards for delivering the best airport dining experience and was named 'Best Airport in North and East Asia' at the Future Travel Experience Asia Awards.

Air Services

Under the authorisation of the Central People's Government, the HKSAR Government negotiates and concludes bilateral air services agreements with aviation partners to provide the legal framework for scheduled air services between Hong Kong and other places. There are 67 such agreements. Hong Kong's government also reviews traffic rights and air services. arrangements with its aviation partners to expand the territory's aviation network and allow more competition in the market. In 2017, the government reviewed or expanded air services arrangements with 13 aviation partners. It also signed new and amended air service

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