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Taking advantage of the latest development in satellite navigation technologies, the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) has been actively pursuing air routes rationalisation to enhance the operating efficiency of the Hong Kong air route system.
From October 22, the arrival routes for aircraft from the west and north of Hong Kong would be shortened, a CAD spokesman said today (October 2).
After the adjustment, each flight arriving Hong Kong from the Mainland, Southeast Asia or Europe via the new routes will be able to save up to about 210 kilometres, or 14 minutes in flight time.
Based on the traffic figures recorded in the first quarter of 2009, it is estimated that the new routes will enable annual savings of more than 10 million kilometres in journey, or 12,000 hours in flight time for the arrival aircraft.
With an average of about 150 flights using the new routes daily, about eight million passengers will benefit annually by these express routes for arrivals.
With the new routes, air travellers will benefit from shorter flying time while airline operators will benefit from less fuel consumption.
CAD would continue to, as part of its airspace improvement programme, develop and progressively apply more advanced aviation technologies and work closely with airline operators to further enhance the air route system in the Hong Kong Flight Information Region, the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, October 2, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:30
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