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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee-hwa, today (Wednesday) inspected on site the progress made by the Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd (HACTL) on its recovery plan for air cargo handling.

The Chief Executive received a briefing by the Managing Director of HACTL, Mr Anthony Charter, at SuperTerminal 1.

"I am pleased to learn that with the hard work of its staff, and the support of the air cargo industry, the Airport Authority and the Government, HACTL has already been able to handle 70 per cent of its projected tonnage at SuperTerminal 1," Mr Tung said.

"This, together with the contributions made by other air cargo handlers at Chek Lap Kok, means that we are now able to handle about 80 per cent of the normal daily average volume of air cargo," he added. "And we are improving steadily."

Welcoming the progress made so far, Mr Tung said that the efficient handling of air cargo was vital for many local businesses. Hong Kong's small and medium sized enterprises in particular relied heavily on air cargo services.

"I am encouraged to note that HACTL has in fact accelerated its original recovery programme. For example, it has begun to handle one more pallet of general cargo per inbound passenger aircraft, bringing the total to two pallets per inbound passenger aircraft," he said.

The Chief Executive also learned that HACTL planned to extend its cargo handling service to all imports on all incoming flights starting from July 30. This was in response to suggestions from the shippers and exporters, in order to better serve the import need of the trade and industry in this time of the year.

"I have confidence that with the joint efforts and cooperation of the Government and the air cargo industry, we are on the way to full recovery of air cargo handling in the very near future," Mr Tung said. "The government will continue to offer necessary assistance to the industry to facilitate a smooth recovery."

Referring to the contingency measures introduced by Mainland authorities and the HKSAR Government to facilitate airlines using Huangtian Airport for air freight operation, Mr Tung said, " I am most grateful to the Central People's Government for their swift response and support."

"These measures will remain in place until the air cargo handling services in Hong Kong resume normal operation," he added.

Before making the inspection at SuperTerminal 1, the Chief Executive paid a visit to the new Air Traffic Control Tower and Complex of the Civil Aviation Department at the new Hong Kong Airport, where he was briefed by the Director of Civil Aviation, Mr Richard Seigel, on the state-of-the-art air traffic control systems installed and the operation of these systems.

Mr Tung met some of the Air Traffic Controllers. He expressed his appreciation to the smooth, efficient and successful transfer of air traffic control from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok.

"I am impressed by the dedication of staff at the Civil Aviation Department in ensuring a safe and efficient environment for all aircraft operating under Hong Kong's control. The high standards of air traffic management are achieved through good management and high quality training," Mr Tung said.

Mr Tung learned that the Air Traffic Control Tower was among the busiest in the region, directing the operation of 450 aircraft arriving and leaving Hong Kong every day.

Mr Siegel explained to the Chief Executive the new flight procedures for the airports in the Pearl River Delta area. These procedures were formulated after extensive discussions with the authorities of the Mainland and Macau prior to the opening of the new airport. The new flight procedures ensure the safe operation of flights into the airports at Macau, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Hong Kong.

Earlier, the Chief Executive officiated at the opening ceremony of the headquarters of the Government Flying Service (GFS) at the new airport.

Briefing Mr Tung on plans to further improve GFS' service quality and efficiency, Controller, Captain Brian Butt, said that with the acquisition of two brand new fixed-wing airplanes by the end of the year and the replacement of all the helicopters by the year 2000, GFS would be able to provide enhanced air search and rescue services to workers and vessels on the South China Sea.

End/Wednesday, July 29, 1998

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