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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, said today (Monday) that with the dedicated work of the Chairman of the Airport Authority and the airport staff in the past two weeks, there had been marked improvement in the passenger services provided by the new Hong Kong International Airport and the passenger traffic operation had become increasingly smooth.

Mr Tung inspected the cargo operations and passenger services at the new airport during a two-and-a-half hours' visit to the airport this morning.

Mr Tung said, "On the eighth day of its operation, a number of passenger traffic services in the new airport have attained a performance level equivalent to or even higher than that offered by the Kai Tak. I know that the Airport Authority will continue their efforts in upgrading their services for the passengers."

"Of course, there is still room for improvement in areas like the airport design, as well as the computer software system. I am sure that the Airport Authority will carry out further study and take follow-up actions without affecting the operation of the passenger terminal."

The Chief Executive said he was very much concerned about the plight of freight forwarding agents, importers and exporters, and manufacturers of various kinds. The industries had been dragged into the air cargo problem and suffered considerable loss.

"Our top priority is to put the air traffic back to normal completely as soon as possible," he stressed.

Mr Tung said, "I met with representatives of the freight forwarding industry, import and export trade and manufacturers last week. After listening to their views, I have a better understanding of the difficulties they are facing, especially those faced by the small and medium enterprises. We are studying their problems to see what backup is needed by the trade and industry.

"On the request of the Administration, the Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) and the Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT) have agreed to set up a liaison mechanism, which will include providing updated information for the trade and industries through a hotline service."

Accompanied by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, and the Chairman of the Airport Authority, Mr Wong Po-yan, Mr Tung arrived at the airport at 11 am today. They first visited AAT and was briefed by the AAT's Chief Executive Officer, Mr See Seng Wan.

"At present, the AAT handles 15 per cent of the daily air cargo throughput of the whole territory. For a new air cargo company at the airport, it is not easy for AAT to make such achievement. It helps to alleviate to a certain extent the difficulties faced by the air cargo industry," Mr Tung said.

The Chief Executive then visited the Super Terminal One, where he was briefed by its Managing Director, Mr Anthony Charter, on HACTL's operations, including the box storage system and recovery plans

Mr Tung said, "Staff of HACTL have been working very hard on different areas and are fixing their computer system. They told me that they were confident that normal operation would be resumed by stages.

"HACTL had already met the target they had set for the first stage of operation. In other words, they handled 50 per cent of the total cargo throughput they were supposed to handle yesterday.

"I believe that HACTL will try its very best to make sure that operation will be in full swing by mid August. The Administration and the Airport Authority will endeavour to render necessary assistance to HACTL," Mr Tung said.

The Chief Executive also visited the departure level of the passenger terminal building where he was briefed on the operation of the check-in counters and noticed that the flight information display boards were functioning smoothly.

He then observed the landing and taking-off of planes in the terminal building. In the security area of the airport, he toured the waiting area, the duty free shops, the enquiry counter, the washrooms and the boarding airbridge. On his way, the Chief Executive took every opportunity to talk to the members of the public and the visitors and asked for their views on the airport.

A visitor from the United States told Mr Tung that the design of the new airport was excellent and the services there were highly efficient.

Towards the end of his visit, Mr Tung also had a meeting with Mr Wong Po-yan; Deputy Chairman of the Airport Authority, Mr Lo Chung-hing; and the Authority's senior management.

Mr Tung ended his visit with a tour of the baggage reclaim hall, where he chatted with passengers reclaiming their baggage.

Concluding his visit, Mr Tung said, "Every member of the community, including myself, has high expectations of the new airport. I fully understand the disappointment of the public.

"Today, I am glad to have the opportunity to talk to the airport staff. I understand that they have been working round the clock in the past two weeks with a view to solving the problems as soon as possible. They are trying their best to enable the airport to run smoothly at an early date."

Appealing to the public to show understanding to the airport staff, Mr Tung said, "They need badly our encouragement and support. It is not the time for us to blame each other now as this does not help solve the problems.

"We have to face the present situation in a positive manner and work together to solve the present problems and to demonstrate to the world once again the 'can-do' spirit of the Hong Kong people," Mr Tung said.

The Chief Executive reiterated that an investigation should be conducted to find out the cause for the failures in the operation of the airport to avoid re-occurrence of similar problems in future.

"We intend to appoint an independent commission of enquiry with credibility as well as adequate powers for conducting a thorough investigation into the whole incident and making a full and open account to the public," he said.

"The commission has the power to seek opinions from local and overseas experts whenever necessary. The report will be made public."

"I hope that operators of the air cargo industry would work together in the overall interest of Hong Kong. We should make the optimal use of all available resources to render every possible assistance to the importers and exporters."

"I strongly believe that the new airport of Hong Kong will soon become one of the finest international airports throughout the world and the people of Hong Kong will definitely take pride in this airport," the Chief Executive said.

End/Monday, July 20, 1998

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Photo Caption: The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, and the Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, talking to departing passengers at the new Hong Kong International Airport. Looking on is Chairman of the Airport Authority, Mr Wong Po-yan (first from right).