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The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Albert Lam, today (June 27) presented CR Airways Limited with a varied Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) for the operation of its first Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jet. With the granting of this AOC variation, CR Airways becomes the third Hong Kong-based airline to operate commercial air transport using fixed-wing aircraft for passengers.

Back in March 2002, the company was granted an AOC to operate helicopter services. An AOC is required for flying an aircraft registered in Hong Kong for the purpose of public transport.

"Over the last several months, the company has worked extremely hard to reach the high operational and engineering standards required by the Civil Aviation Department to operate this new aircraft type in Hong Kong. Subsequent to the successful completion of a proving flight in the presence of my flight standards and airworthiness inspectors, the company obtained the department's approval to operate its 50-seat CRJ-200 aircraft for the purpose of public transport," Mr Lam said.

The CRJ-200 has a range of about 3,700 kilometres that puts most Mainland cities and some Southeast Asian destinations within its reach. "I believe the operation of this regional jet will provide much added convenience to both business and leisure travellers alike. Its services will strengthen Hong Kong's status as a regional and international aviation hub," he added.

"The department has a statutory responsibility in regulating aviation activities in Hong Kong. It also has a role to play in the development of all sectors within the Hong Kong aviation industry and we will therefore facilitate all our AOC holders to the maximum extent possible within our regulatory scopes, such as the application by CR Airways to launch charter passenger flights in the initial stage of its operation," Mr Lam said.

The department received an application from CR Airways in November 2002 to vary its AOC to include fixed-wing aircraft operations for carriage of passengers. Following the approval of the relevant Manuals/Maintenance Schedule/Flight Test Schedule and inspections of its facilities and a proving flight to ensure it met the department's requirements, an AOC has been granted to CR Airways for the operation of its CRJ-200 aircraft.

The department will continue to monitor compliance with the established airworthiness and operational standards by CR Airways through a combined programme of inspections.

Ends/Friday, June 27, 2003

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