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Following is a speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at the 10th Anniversary Celebration Cocktail Reception of the Hong Kong International Airport this (July 3) evening:
Marvin (Cheung), Victor (Fung), Stanley (Hui), Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to join you to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Hong Kong International Airport.
How time flies!
It doesn't seem all that long ago when we were marvelling at the wonderful design of the "new" airport and its incredible efficiency. These days we tend to take it for granted that everything will go smoothly and look great. The confidence we have in our airport is a tribute to the hard work of everyone involved, not least the Airport Authority.
I must take this opportunity, also, to thank Victor Fung for his leadership and dedication during nine years as chairman of the Authority. Victor has steered the Airport through a period of rapid change and expansion. His vision has brought about greater co-operation with our friends across the boundary and helped to maintain Hong Kong's status as an aviation hub in Asia. Thank you, Victor, for all the hard work.
We must not forget also the founding chairman, Mr Wong Po-yan, who had led the organisation from the provisional authority to the present status.
Anniversaries are always a good time to look back at what we've achieved, and to look forward to what we want to achieve.
Looking back, a flick through the archives shows that nearly 48 million passengers used the airport last year. That's about 70 per cent more than for the last full year of operation at the old Kai Tak airport in 1997.
During that same period, air cargo roughly doubled to 3.74 million tonnes in 2007. The airport has remained the world's busiest for international air cargo since 1996, and the fifth busiest for international passengers since 1997.
It is a fast, efficient and attractive icon of Hong Kong; a great first impression of Asia's world city for our visitors, and we all know that first impressions are important. According to the annual Skytrax survey, air travellers have voted our airport as the best in the world for six out of the past seven years.
Looking forward, our biggest challenge is to stay ahead of the competition.
The Authority's investment of over $8 billion in recent years is paying off. Terminal 2 opened last year, and the permanent Sky Pier will begin operating next year.
We have also seen expansion of private sector facilities in areas such as cargo handling capacity, hangar space for aircraft maintenance and express cargo facilities. The Authority has awarded the franchise of a new air cargo terminal this year. With an annual handling capacity of about 2.6 million tonnes, the terminal is expected to be operating by mid-2011.
Our aviation network includes some 88 airlines providing about 5,700 flights a week to more than 110 international cities and about 40 Mainland destinations. We're already well connected but we want to build on that connectivity.
We will expedite the liberalisation of our air services regime so that our home-based airlines will have more opportunities to develop their routes. This will also give overseas airlines greater incentive to use Hong Kong as their regional base.
The Authority will also strengthen the existing multi-modal feeder services connecting the airport with the Pearl River Delta. A priority on this front is to foster closer co-operation and stronger connectivity with Shenzhen International Airport. One proposal is a rail link between the two airports. We expect a feasibility study on this project to be completed by year-end.
Other proposals under an agreement signed by the two airports in May include setting up flight information panels, and providing counters and lounges for transit passengers.
As for a possible third runway at Chek Lap Kok, the Authority will be commissioning engineering and environmental feasibility studies later this year. This information will be useful to the decision-making process. I will also be interested to hear your views on how best to develop the mid-field area to provide additional facilities.
Ladies and gentlemen, there is a great deal of work ahead for the Airport Authority.
I have no doubt that, under Marvin's stewardship, the Authority will continue to meet every challenge with professionalism and dedication. I am also confident that Hong Kong will retain its position as a regional aviation hub, as well as an international city for business and finance.
I congratulate Hong Kong International Airport on its 10th Anniversary and wish the Authority every success in the next decade and beyond. As they say in the aviation business: The sky's the limit!
Thank you.
Ends/Thursday, July 3, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:14
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