Hactl welcomes the positive results of HKIA’s third runway consultation

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) – the leading air cargo terminal operator at the world’s largest airfreight hub – warmly welcomes the positive findings of the recent consultation on the question of building a third runway at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

Says Hactl’s Managing Director Mark Whitehead: “The growth of HKIA has been the biggest single factor in the development and prosperity of Hong Kong. The new airport, opened in 1998, has helped to boost tourism and commerce, and has established the city as a major transit point both for passengers and cargo.”

He continues: “In our own sphere of cargo, airlines always have a choice of where they locate their regional hubs. Such choices are based particularly on infrastructure, size of accessible market, and range of destinations served. The latter creates interline opportunities where airlines collaborate to extend their respective networks. Where airport limitations inhibit airlines’ own expansion plans, they simply migrate to alternative gateways taking jobs and revenue with them.

“HKIA is approaching saturation. A third runway is vital to Hong Kong’s development and to make further landing and take-off slots available. Only by providing airlines with space to grow will Hong Kong retain its existing airline base, and also attract new airline customers. If we lose our momentum, other airports in other countries will gain at our expense. And we will not stand still, but slide backwards into decline.”

Concludes Whitehead: “The findings of this report clearly reflect the widespread realisation that HKIA is key to our community’s prosperity, and that it must be allowed to develop in a responsible fashion. Hactl totally supports this view.”

Quelle: Hactl