Joint Conference on HKIA Master Plan 2030

Joint Conference on HKIA Master Plan 2030

The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) released its 20-year development blueprint for Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to solicit feedback from stakeholders and the public on the airport’s future development direction. HKIA Master Plan 2030 outlines two development options for public consultation. The first option is for maintaining the existing two-runway system, which would help meet Hong Kong’s aviation demand in the medium term only. The second option is to build a new runway to increase capacity, which would enable HKIA to meet the city’s air traffic demand up to and possibly beyond 2030. Under the two-runway system, HKIA can meet air traffic demand until approximately 2020, beyond which no additional flights could be added. The Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics (HAFFA), the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport in Hong Kong (CILTHK), the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council (HKSC) and all supporting organisations including the Carrier Liaison Group (CLG), the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA), the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI), the Hong Kong Aviation Industry Association (HKAIA), the Hong Kong Institute of Engineers – Manufacturing and Industrial Division (HKIE-MI), the Hong Kong Logistics Association (HKLA), the Hong Kong Logistics Management Staff Association (HKLMSA), the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Institution of Purchasing & Supply of Hong Kong (IPSHK) have jointly organised a conference titled ‘Foundation for a Sustainable Future – CLK2030 ... Our Sky Our Say’ on 6 August 2011 to discuss the sustainable aviation development of Hong Kong. Distinguished guests from different areas of expertise were invited to share their valuable insights in response to the HKIA Master Plan 2030 consultation. In the conference, apart from the analysis of industry demand on the third runway, guest speakers also discussed with the participants, the issues of the environmental impacts, capacity of associated infrastructures (e.g. human resources, urban planning, transport infrastructure, logistics facilities, etc.), cost and the urgency of having additional runway capacity. The Centre of Cyber Logistics of CUHK (Chinese University of Hong Kong) was also commissioned to independently solicit industry comments on the construction of the third runway. The findings were also released at the joint conference. The analysis of the results concluded that:

• The practical needs in terms of air passenger and cargo demands are there;
• HKIA needs expansion, 52 per cent choose 3rd runway and 25 per cent choose even longer term expansion such as the fourth runway expansion;
• 47 per cent disagree (31 per cent agree) that environmental impacts are main considerations for the expansion;
• Most respondents believe AAHK’s estimates on job creation, economic value and cost of the 3rd runway are adequate or conservative;

• 58 per cent believe HKSAR government should share a significant part of the cost;
• 60 per cent believe capacity planning for the airport expansion should be for 30 years or more;
• The respondents believe quality of life is highly correlated with competitiveness which out weigh its negative correlation with the environmental impacts;
• Competitiveness is the most important determining factor in support of the 3rd runway expansion;
• The respondents believe competitiveness translates into employment;
• The respondents placed greater concern on noise pollution and ocean ecology over air when considering support for the 3rd runway;
• Supporting facilities like a high value added consolidation centre, secured warehouse, and affordable housing are needed to take full advantage of the expansion and;
• A shorter runway is generally not supported.