ENG-2018 — Page 282

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Transport

Future Development

To maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness as a global and regional aviation hub, the Airport Authority is undertaking a Three-runway System (3RS) project. This comprises formation of some 650 hectares of land north of the existing airport island by reclamation, construction of the third runway and the third runway passenger building, a new automated people mover system, a new high-speed baggage handling system, expansion of Terminal 2 and construction of support infrastructure.

When the 3RS is put into operation, the airport's yearly handling capacity will increase gradually to 620,000 air traffic movements, 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's Hong Kong International Aviation Academy trains local and regional air transport management talent. The training ranges from youth programmes to on-the-job training for airport employees to a master's degree programme delivered jointly with the École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile of France, the largest aeronautics and civil aviation college in Europe. The academy has also been an associate member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Trainair Plus Programme, which promotes global training collaboration, since June 2017, with a view to acquiring the programme's highest status as a Regional Training Centre of Excellence.

Recognition

The airport has won about 70 awards as best airport since opening in 1998. In 2018, 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. Other honours included the 'Top Asian Airport. Efficiency Excellence Award' from the Air Transport Research Society, won for the eighth time; 'Best Global Airport' at the Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain Awards by Asia Cargo News for the third consecutive year; 'Airport of the Year' at Air Transport World's Airline Industry Achievement Awards for the second time; and International Airport Review's International Airport Awards. Hong Kong's airport was also praised by voters in the annual Skytrax World Airport Awards as the best airport for dining and transit and named 'Best Airport - Asia' in Monocle's Travel Top 50 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 2018, the government initialled updated air services agreements with Hungary and Ireland, and reviewed or expanded air services arrangements with the Mainland, Singapore and the Philippines. Of the 140 or so countries along the Belt and Road corridors, Hong Kong has signed air services agreements or international air transit

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