New & Existing Airport in Hong Kong

The Existing Aiport

The existing airport located at Kai Tak, a major urban residential and commercial area in Hong Kong, has only one runway. It operates 18 hours a day and has served Hong Kong well over 45 years. Opportunities for further growth Recent expansion of Kai Tak has been exhausted and there would be no other practical and cost-effective opportunities to enhance its capacity to handle rapidly growing demands beyond 1997. The projected throughput will reach 5 million tonnes of cargo and an estimated 26.5 million air passengers per annum. The airport is a key contributor to the economic growth of the territory and a gateway for several million tourists a year.

Kai Tak Airport (Existing)

The Relocation Site

In 1973, alternative sites for a replacement airport were studied, the island of Chek Lap Kok off the north coast of Lantau Island was one of the alternatives. Later in 1988, the Hong Kong Government initiated the Port and Airport Development Strategy (PADS) Study. The aim of the study was to produce a medium to long term strategy which would provide the context for decisions on airport and port development together with associated transport infrastructure and urban development. The Chek Lap Kok was selected as the site for the New Airport in 1989.

(b) Predicted & Existing Operational Noise