Hong Kong’s third runway finally ready for take off, but completion comes as city’s status as global aviation hub under threat
- Construction on HK$141.5 billion project began in 2016 and partial launch of new runway is expected this year
- Hong Kong remains largely closed off as city tries to minimise Covid-19 infections
Hong Kong is ready to open a third runway at its international airport six years after construction began, but the expansion comes at a time when the city’s status as a global aviation hub remains under threat.
The Airport Authority on Thursday revealed it had reached a milestone in getting the runway ready for use after meeting requirements laid out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
A flight check was completed earlier this month, and the authority and Civil Aviation Department said they were working together on other preparations such as statutory procedures, drills and exercises.
“Updated information on the third runway is issued in advance to global aviation operators to ensure their readiness when the third runway comes into operation,” the authority said.
The HK$141.5 billion (US$18.2 billion) expansion at Hong Kong International Airport began in 2016, and a partial launch of the new runway was expected this year.
