27-Jan-2006 10:26 AM
$4.5 billion to enhance airport capacity and facilities
Analysis
Hong Kong (Airport Authority Hong Kong) - To capture the enormous growth opportunities ahead, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) has earmarked $4.5 billion for a series of facility and capacity enhancement projects at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
An amount of $1.5 billion will be expended on the passenger terminal while the remaining $3 billion will be earmarked for the airfield. To be implemented in phases, all the projects are expected to be completed by 2010.
Dr David J Pang, AA's Chief Executive Officer said, "AA continues to take a proactive role to provide sufficient facilities just in time to capture the growth and development of the robust aviation industry and to further strengthen the world's hub status of HKIA. To continue to exceed customers' expectation, we strive to provide a pleasant ambience as well as a unique, memorable and dynamic airport experience for all airport users through these projects. "
New records were set in all traffic figures in terms of passengers, cargo and aircraft movements, and 10 new airlines started their operation last year at HKIA. 2006 is expected to be another year of strong growth. To ensure an efficient and smooth passenger flow in face of the anticipated growth, AA will invest more than $1.5 billion to undertake a series of capacity enhancement works in the passenger terminal building.
One of the key projects will be the enhancement of Arrivals Central Concourse, where its corridor will be widened by removing some existing offices. The ambience will be improved by changing the facade to full height glass cladding, which will brighten up the concourse and give passengers an open view of the aircraft apron.
Numerous facilities will also be added to enhance the increasing passenger flow. Transfer desks and immigration counters at arrivals level will be increased from 44 to 70 and from 125 to 147 respectively. Security channels at both arrivals level and departures level will also be increased from 9 to 15 and 16 to 22 respectively.
Boosted by continuous growth of passengers, there will be an inevitably increasing demand for flights, especially small aircraft. To cater for the change in aircraft mix and the future needs of extra parking stands, AA will invest more than $1 billion to construct a new concourse which is designed to support the movement of small aircraft. Close to the existing passenger terminal, the new Satellite Concourse will be linked with 10 bridge-served aircraft stands. A total of 11 parking stands will also be upgraded.
At the airfield, a total of 10 additional cargo stands and taxiways will be constructed to enhance operational efficiency and facilitate the air freighter movement. Upon completion, the total number of cargo stands at HKIA will be increased to 35.
To facilitate the operation of new giant A380 aircraft at HKIA, the taxiway shoulders will be widened while the parking bay servicing facilities will be upgraded to comply with the aerodrome licensing requirements.
In addition to these enhancement projects, five new parking stands tailored for low fare carriers and other carriers that require quick turnaround are under construction and will be ready for operation in April.
Mr Howard Eng, AA's Airport Management Director said, "All these projects are essential to the continuous growth of HKIA with more small aircraft operating at HKIA and coming into service of jumbo A380 aircraft in the middle of the year."
These enhancement projects will tie in with the development of the SkyCity project comprising SkyPlaza, AsiaWorld-Expo, a four-star hotel, a golf course and a cross boundary ferry pier. When fully completed, HKIA will become an attractive destination in its own right.
In view of the long term nature of the airport business, AA is also working on the HKIA 2025 Master Plan, which will set the growth strategy for the development of the airport in the next two decades.
Airport Authority Hong Kong is a CAPA Member. For more information on the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation's membership service, please click the icon below.
Dr David J Pang, AA's Chief Executive Officer said, "AA continues to take a proactive role to provide sufficient facilities just in time to capture the growth and development of the robust aviation industry and to further strengthen the world's hub status of HKIA. To continue to exceed customers' expectation, we strive to provide a pleasant ambience as well as a unique, memorable and dynamic airport experience for all airport users through these projects. "
New records were set in all traffic figures in terms of passengers, cargo and aircraft movements, and 10 new airlines started their operation last year at HKIA. 2006 is expected to be another year of strong growth. To ensure an efficient and smooth passenger flow in face of the anticipated growth, AA will invest more than $1.5 billion to undertake a series of capacity enhancement works in the passenger terminal building.
One of the key projects will be the enhancement of Arrivals Central Concourse, where its corridor will be widened by removing some existing offices. The ambience will be improved by changing the facade to full height glass cladding, which will brighten up the concourse and give passengers an open view of the aircraft apron.
Numerous facilities will also be added to enhance the increasing passenger flow. Transfer desks and immigration counters at arrivals level will be increased from 44 to 70 and from 125 to 147 respectively. Security channels at both arrivals level and departures level will also be increased from 9 to 15 and 16 to 22 respectively.
Boosted by continuous growth of passengers, there will be an inevitably increasing demand for flights, especially small aircraft. To cater for the change in aircraft mix and the future needs of extra parking stands, AA will invest more than $1 billion to construct a new concourse which is designed to support the movement of small aircraft. Close to the existing passenger terminal, the new Satellite Concourse will be linked with 10 bridge-served aircraft stands. A total of 11 parking stands will also be upgraded.
At the airfield, a total of 10 additional cargo stands and taxiways will be constructed to enhance operational efficiency and facilitate the air freighter movement. Upon completion, the total number of cargo stands at HKIA will be increased to 35.
To facilitate the operation of new giant A380 aircraft at HKIA, the taxiway shoulders will be widened while the parking bay servicing facilities will be upgraded to comply with the aerodrome licensing requirements.
In addition to these enhancement projects, five new parking stands tailored for low fare carriers and other carriers that require quick turnaround are under construction and will be ready for operation in April.
Mr Howard Eng, AA's Airport Management Director said, "All these projects are essential to the continuous growth of HKIA with more small aircraft operating at HKIA and coming into service of jumbo A380 aircraft in the middle of the year."
These enhancement projects will tie in with the development of the SkyCity project comprising SkyPlaza, AsiaWorld-Expo, a four-star hotel, a golf course and a cross boundary ferry pier. When fully completed, HKIA will become an attractive destination in its own right.
In view of the long term nature of the airport business, AA is also working on the HKIA 2025 Master Plan, which will set the growth strategy for the development of the airport in the next two decades.
Airport Authority Hong Kong is a CAPA Member. For more information on the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation's membership service, please click the icon below.
