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The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) is well prepared for the Y2K rollover and has developed a comprehensive contingency plan to deal with incidents that may happen during both time-zone transitions (local and Universal Time Constant (UTC)) into the new millennium.

"Being the local aviation sector coordinator, CAD will ensure a safe and uninterrupted airport and air traffic control operation for Hong Kong during the rollover," Mr W Y Leung, Assistant Director of Civil Aviation (Technical and Planning) said during a press visit to CAD's Y2K Coordination and Control Centre (CAD Y2K CCC) and the Hong Kong China Y2K Air Traffic Management Centre (HKC Y2K ATMC) today (Wednesday).

"Starting from 10 pm on December 31 (Friday), CAD will activate its Y2K contingency plan such as resorting to use the south runway only if necessary until all air traffic control systems and the associated facilities in Hong Kong have been checked for normal operation.

"The air traffic services Y2K contingency measures to be activiated at the same time include 15-minute longitudinal separation between aircraft flying at the same altitude and the implementation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Contingency Route Structure. These measures will be enforced until health checks on all air traffic control facilities are completed and a region wide deactivation agreement is reached through the coordination of the ICAO Regional Y2K Coordination Unit (RY2K-CU) in Bangkok, Thailand.

"If necessary, contingency plans will also be implemented by the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), the Hong Kong based airlines and other aviation related organisations with a view to controlling and rectifying Y2K related problems within the shortest possible time to minimise service disruption to travellers.

"To further ensure safety, aircraft operators which are unable to declare that their aircraft are Y2K compliant will not be permitted to make any flight to, from or overflying Hong Kong from 10 pm on December 31 to midnight on January 1, 2000 (Saturday). Such condition is applicable to all commercial, general aviation and non-revenue flights. Up to now, all the airlines operating flights during the period have confirmed that their aircraft are Y2K compliant," Mr Leung said.

He added that the period would be subject to review on January 1, 2000 and might be shortened or extended depending on the circumstances prevailing after the Y2K rollover.

To report and advise on the Y2K transition status of the aviation sector in Hong Kong, the CAD Y2K CCC will be operated from 8 pm on December 31 to 3.30 pm on January 1, 2000. Its closing time will again be subject to review depending on the situation.

"The CAD Y2K CCC will maintain close liaison with the local aviation related organisations and relevant government departments such as the Hong Kong Observatory and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department to oversee the Y2K transition of the aviation sector.

"All the key members of the local aviation related organisations such as AAHK, Cathay Pacific Airways Limited and Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Limited will also set up their coordination centres for direct liaison and communication with the CAD Y2K CCC. Other organisations including air cargo operators, ramp handling operators, ground handling agents and aviation fuel providers will report their status to CAD through AAHK.

"To further facilitate coordination between CAD's Air Traffic Services and AAHK, an air traffic control officer from CAD will be posted to AAHK's Y2K Command and Control Centre, and an officer from the AAHK will be posted to the CAD Y2K CCC" Mr Leung said.

Meanwhile, the HKC Y2K ATMC will be activated from 4 pm on December 31 to coordinate with the RY2K-CU and the adjacent air traffic control centres in the Asia Pacific Region on Y2K related operational issues.

An air traffic control officer from CAD arrives in Bangkok today to act as the Regional Coordinator of the RY2K-CU. He will closely liaise with the HKC Y2K ATMC and other regional Air Traffic Management Centres to exchange information pertinent to Hong Kong and the regional air traffic control operations during the Y2K rollover.

CAD will deploy more than 120 staff from different units to man the CAD Y2K CCC, the HKC Y2K ATMC and other facilities to strengthen support to Hong Kong's air traffic control operations on December 31 and January 1.

End/Wednesday, December 29, 1999

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