Hong Kong third-runway recommendation goes to government

Airport Authority Hong Kong has recommended the building of a third runway at Hong Kong International (HKI) after results of a public consultation on its long-term growth plan released in December showed large support for the expansion.

The HKI Master Plan 2030 consultation, conducted by the University of Hong Kong, showed that 73% of respondents support the building of a third runway, while over 80% of respondents agree that HKI should continue to expand.

The third-runway recommendation has been sent to the Hong Kong government, which is expected to make a decision in early 2012.

The plan has widespread support, with the Assn. of Asia Pacific Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair encouraging the building of a third runway, saying that looming capacity constraints must be addressed. The report was also welcomed by Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. (HAECO). Augustus Tang, HAECO CEO, said: “Building of the third runway is of vital importance to expansion of the airport’s capacity. This will undoubtedly benefit a long term and unconstrained growth of the airport and therefore uphold Hong Kong’s position as the regional and international leading aviation center.”