Hong Kong International Airport master plan announced; third runway and terminal an option

Airport Authority of Hong Kong stated (02-Jun-2011) public feedback is being sought on Hong Kong International Airport's future development direction, such as the possible construction of a third runway. The authority released the airport's Master Plan 2030 on 02-Jun-2011, which outlines two development options for public consultation as follows:

• Option 1: To maintain the two-runway system, but make enhancements to the terminal and apron facilities to increase capacity. This option will enable the airport to handle a maximum of 420,000 flight movements p/a with annual passenger and cargo throughput increased to 74 million and 6 million tonnes. The estimated cost is about HKD23.4 billion in 2010 dollars or HKD42.5 billion at money-of-the-day prices. It will increase airport jobs from 62,000 in 2008 to 101,000 by 2030, and generate HKD432 billion in 2009 dollars in economic net present value over a 50-year lifespan up to 2061. However, the authority said this option can only meet the estimated air traffic demand in the medium term, adding the airport will reach its maximum runway capacity in 2020;
• Option 2: Envisages building of a third runway and its associated terminal, airfield and apron facilities, which requires the reclamation of 650 hectares of land north of the airport island. With a third runway and its associated facilities, the airport will be able to handle 620,000 flights p/a and meet forecast annual passenger and cargo throughput of about 97 million and 8.9 million tonnes by 2030. It is estimated to cost about HKD86.2 billion in 2010 dollars or HKD136.2 billion at money-of-the-day prices. It will increase the number of airport jobs to 141,000 by 2030 and generate an economic net present value of HKD912 billion in 2009 dollars up to 2061. This option will enable the airport to meet forecast traffic demand and maintain its extensive air network and connectivity up to and possibly beyond 2030.

Hong Kong Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng said a sustainable balance must be maintained between infrastructure and environmental protection. [more - Airport Authority of Hong Kong] [more - Hong Kong Government]

Airport Authority of Hong Kong: "HKIA is an important asset of Hong Kong. Its expansion is inextricably connected with Hong Kong's continued development as a thriving international business and financial centre. With Asia Pacific, and in particular the Mainland, increasingly driving global and regional economic growth, air traffic demand has been experiencing strong growth in the past decade. This trend is expected to continue, and Hong Kong is well positioned to capture the opportunities it presents. The question is how much of such opportunities HKIA is able to capture in future. The current two-runway system is forecast to be saturated by around 2020, and beyond that, HKIA will not be able to meet additional demand. This could irrevocably harm Hong Kong's position as a global aviation hub. The rising demand is the reality that we need to confront. We must plan ahead to ensure that Hong Kong can sustain its competitiveness in the wider business sphere and the more specific aviation sector," Dr Marvin Cheung Kin-tung, Chairman. Source: Company Statement, 02-Jun-2011.

Airport Authority of Hong Kong: "As airport development requires a long lead time with considerable advanced planning, we need to decide now on how the airport is going to move forward to avoid a capacity crunch. If HKIA does not expand, or fails to expand in a timely manner, to meet our future aviation traffic demand, there will be adverse consequences. The immediate impact would be on HKIA's connectivity with the world, because with constrained capacity, HKIA would have to turn away traffic, possibly resulting in the airport serving fewer destinations," Stanley Hui Hon-chung, CEO. Source: Company Statement, 02-Jun-2011.

Hong Kong Government: "I do not think we should necessarily take it that infrastructure and environmental protection cannot go hand in hand; or which poses one against each other. We need to find a sustainable balance. We expect to receive a recommendation on the way forward from the authority by the end of the year after the completion of the public consultation. The Government will carefully consider the recommendation, with a view to deciding on the next stage of work. This mainly includes funding arrangements, detailed engineering design and statutory environmental impact assessment. In taking this forward, the Government and the authority will liaise with stakeholders and carry out appropriate consultations," Eva Cheng, Secretary for Transport & Housing. Source: Hong Kong Airport Authority, 02-Jun-2011.