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The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is one of the finest in the world and one in which all Hong Kong people can take pride, the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, said today (Wednesday).

Mr Tung made the comments during a two-hour visit to the airport this afternoon.

During the visit, the Chief Executive inspected cargo operations and passenger services and was shown various improvements implemented since opening in July last year.

Mr Tung said he was impressed with the smooth operation of airport services and their high level of efficiency.

"The good overall performance in airport services is giving the Hong Kong International Airport a reputation for excellence around the globe," he said.

"I was happy to note that the airport was recently described as one of the world's premier airports and was voted the annual Critics' Choice award by a leading international travel magazine.

"This is in no small part due to the dedicated work of all airport staff as well as an ongoing commitment to make the airport as user-friendly as possible for travellers as well as meeters and greeters."

Mr Tung was greeted by Airport Authority (AA) chairman, Mr Wong Po-yan, and deputy chairman, Mr Lo Chung-hing on arrival at the airport.

Mr Tung's first stop was the SuperTerminal One cargo facility operated by Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL).

HACTL's managing director, Mr Anthony Charter, briefed the Chief Executive on the 1998 tonnage throughput and operations since opening.

Mr Charter told Mr Tung the facility was now handling an average of 5,000 tonnes of cargo a day.

Mr Tung said he was very pleased to see the airport cargo systems operating smoothly since HACTL resumed full services last August. He noted that at the height of the peak period last year, a total of 6 500 tonnes of cargo was handled in one day by the two cargo handling operators.

He noted that there were some initial difficulties but these were overcome by the hard work of HACTL staff and the support given by freight forwarding agents, importers, exporters, airlines and various other organisations.

Mr Tung then visited the departure level of the passenger terminal building where he was briefed by the AA's General Manager-Terminal Operations, Mr Ng Ki-sing.

Mr Tung was shown airline check-in operations and briefed on the workings of the flight information display boards.

"I am extremely pleased to see that there have been significant improvements in services and facilities since my last visit here in July 1998," Mr Tung said.

Airport Authority figures show that about 75 per cent of flights are departing on time or within 15 minutes of schedule. Arriving passengers are waiting no longer than 15 minutes at immigration counters and, on average, are able to reclaim baggage within 10 minutes.

Feedback from the public has been very positive in two opinion surveys on airport services which were conducted in August and October/November by independent institutions.

Mr Tung said he was impressed that the airport had smoothly handled an average of around 100,000 passengers a day - a record for the new airport - during the busy Christmas-New Year period.

"This augurs very well for our busiest time of the year, which is coming up shortly - Chinese New Year," he said.

"Today I have the chance to chat with staff working on site at the airport, including air cargo staff, airline staff, AA staff, and Immigration and Customs and Excise officers, I am impressed by their determination to overcome challenges brought about by the introduction of new services and new working environment. They all deserve support and encouragement by the community," Mr Tung said.

In the security area of the airport, Mr Tung visited retail outlets and asked shopkeepers and passengers their views on the airport.

He visited the Airport Operations Control Centre, the Baggage Sortation Hall and the Security Screening Control Room.

Mr Tung was pleased to hear that the overall security of the airport has been rated 'excellent' by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the United States Government's aviation safety regulatory body, after a recent inspection of US airlines operating at HKIA.

Mr Tung wrapped up his visit by meeting AA senior management, during which he encouraged them to keep up their good performance.

End/Wednesday, January 6, 1999

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Photo caption: Photograph shows Mr Tung chatting with departing passengers inside the Passenger Terminal Building.