New aviation advisory body set up
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     The Government announced today (July 24) the establishment of the Aviation Development and Three-runway System Advisory Committee (ADTAC).

     The new Committee, comprising five ex-officio members and 20 non-official members, is appointed by the Chief Secretary for Administration and chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing. It will replace the existing Aviation Development Advisory Committee (ADAC), with extended membership and terms of reference.

     The ADTAC will advise the Government on broad policy matters concerning Hong Kong's civil aviation and the development of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), as well as issues concerning the implementation of the three-runway system (3RS) at HKIA.  

     "HKIA has been playing a pivotal role in maintaining Hong Kong's status as an international and regional aviation hub as well as a global business centre. It is now the world's busiest cargo airport and the third largest international passenger airport - receiving 63.3 million passengers, and handling 390 955 aircraft movements and 4.38 million tonnes of cargos in 2014," a spokesman for the Government said.

     "Aviation development is of crucial importance to Hong Kong's economic development and overall competitiveness. With the existing two-runway system likely reaching its maximum practical capacity of 420 000 aircraft movements per annum in the next one to two years, and in light of intensifying competition from neighbouring airports in the region, there is an urgent need for the implementation of the 3RS to meet Hong Kong's long-term air traffic demand.

     "There is public concern over the 3RS project particularly due to its scale, project design, environmental impacts, cost and financial arrangement plans. The new Committee, comprising members coming from relevant sectors including engineering, architecture, quantity surveying, business and finance, aviation, environment, legal, logistics and transport, tourism and hotels, as well as academic and research, will provide an effective platform for various key stakeholders to advise the Government on these key aspects."

     The membership of the ADTAC is as follows. The appointments are for a period of two years starting from August 1, 2015.

Chairman
Secretary for Transport and Housing (ex-officio)

Members
Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan
Mr Raymond Chan Kin-sek
Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi
Professor Edwin Cheng Tai-chiu
Ms Chiang Lai-yuen
Mr Ivan Chu Kwok-leung
Professor Michael Fung Ka-yiu
Professor Ho Kin-chung
Mr Thomas Ho Kwok-kwan
Mr Edward Ho Man-tat
Dr Hung Wing-tat
Mr Josef Ko Koon-cheong
Mr Kwok Kwok-chuen
Dr Peter Lam Kin-ngok
Ms Julia Lau Man-kwan
Professor Joseph Lee Hun-wei
Mr Andrew Leung Chi-kwan
Mr Brian David Li Man-bun
Mr William Ma Wing-kai
Mr Anthony Wong See-ho
Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Transport) (ex-officio)
Chief Executive Officer, Airport Authority Hong Kong (ex-officio)
Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (ex-officio)
Director-General of Civil Aviation (ex-officio)

Ends/Friday, July 24, 2015
Issued at HKT 14:31

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