Space-starved Hong Kong airport squeezes in 7,000 extra flights a year

Hong Kong’s airport, already running at near capacity, is squeezing in more than 7,000 extra flights a year, with the aim of expanding the number to 18,000 within three years, the Post has learned. Starting from March, Hong Kong International Airport has been adding 20 take-offs or landings to the current 1,150 per day. That number will be raised over the next couple of years to meet a target of 1,200 flights per day by 2020, or 50 extra flights per day. The move by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) is expected to benefit Cathay Pacific Airways as it seeks to add new routes. The CAD can now approve more flights, at a time when the airport’s two runways are currently operating at 98.2% of their annual capacity of 420,000 flights. Both the CAD and the airport operator confirmed they were studying ways to “marginally” enhance the capacity of the two runways by using slots more efficiently and looking for more off-peak slots, including early mornings and late nights. Aviation officials have repeatedly warned that Hong Kong’s airport is too busy, and drastic measures are needed. One option they are looking at is diverting business jets and freighter planes to land at nearby Zhuhai Airport. According to aviation consultancy Flight Global, Hong Kong will see a net increase of 1,600 new long-haul flights this year. Among the new routes, Cathay Pacific has added flights to Tel Aviv, Barcelona and Christchurch. It also increased flights to destinations in North America. Hong Kong Airlines is making its biggest foray into intercontinental travel with new flights to Vancouver and Los Angeles, and extra flights to Auckland. In the regional short-haul market Cathay Dragon and HK Express are also making expansion pushes, particularly into Japan.<br/>