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The following is issued on behalf of the Commission of Inquiry on the New Airport:

The Commission of Inquiry on the New Airport and most of the concerned parties to the inquiry visited the new Hong Kong International Airport today (Saturday).

The visit was organised at the request of parties to enable the Commission to gather more information on the flight information display system (FIDS), the baggage handling system and ramp handling services.

The Commission Chairman, Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing and the Commissioner, Dr Edgar Cheng, were joined by two airport experts, Mr Jason Yuen and Dr Ulrich Kipper, as well as about 40 counsel and representatives from concerned parties.

They started off with a tour of the Departure Hall of the Passenger Terminal Building and were briefed on various facilities relating to FIDS, including liquid crystal display screens and the check-in system.

The group then visited the Airport Operations Control Centre, the Ground Transportation Centre and the Baggage Reclaim Hall.

In the afternoon, they proceeded to the apron areas, the offices of three ramp operators, and air cargo terminals. At each stop, briefing was given by representatives of the relevant firm.

Today's visit was the second public visit made by the Commission to the new airport. It formed part of the inquiry into various matters relating to the operation of the new airport, including the decision to open it on July 6, the planning and preparation for its opening and problems that arose thereafter.

The Commission started its public hearing on September 7. The hearing is expected to last about 12 weeks. A report will be submitted to the Chief Executive when the Commission completes its work early next year.

Twenty parties are currently represented at the public hearing as implicated or concerned parties. They are :

* AEH Joint Venture ;

* the Airlines Operators' Committee ;

* the Airport Authority ;

* Asia Airfreight Terminal Limited,

* BCJ Joint Venture ;

* the Board of Airline Representatives in Hong Kong ;

* Cathay Pacific Airways Limited ;

* Electronic Data Systems Limited;

* Gammon Paul-Y Joint Venture ;

* GEC Hong Kong Limited ;

* Government ;

* Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited ;

* Hong Kong Airport Services Limited ;

* Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Limited ;

* HongKong Telecom CSL Limited ;

* Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited ;

* Jardine Air Terminal Services Limited ;

* Mass Transit Railway Corporation ;

* Ogden Aviation (Hong Kong) Ltd ; and

* Swire Engineering Services Limited.

End/Saturday, September 12, 1998

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