Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has unveiled its 20-year masterplan for the future development of the airport, which includes the possibility of building a third runway.
A third runway is one of two options presented by the masterplan released by Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), which today began a three-month consultation on the document to collect feedback.
The other option presented by the masterplan is to maintain the two-runway system at the airport but expand the airport's terminal and apron facilities to boost capacity.
"The current two-runway system is forecast to be saturated by around 2020, and beyond that, HKIA will not be able to meet additional demand. This could irrevocably harm Hong Kong's position as a global aviation hub," said AAHK chairman Marvin Cheung. "Master Plan 2030 details our research and assessment of how we can address HKIA's capacity problem and meet future demand."
In 2010, the airport handled 51 million passengers, which is already 90% of its capacity,
Under the two-runway option presented by the airport, it suggests expanding the floor area of Terminal One by 14% and increasing the number of check-in counters at Terminal Two to 112 from 56.
It also proposed expanding the first midfield passenger concourse, adding a second passenger concourse and building 20 additional remote stands for freighter aircraft and another 20 passenger aircraft stands. In addition, it suggested expanding the automated people mover system, the baggage handling system and the road infrastructure around the airport.
These improvements are estimated to cost Hong Kong dollars (HK$) 23.4 billion ($3 billion) in 2010 dollars or HK$42.5 billion when taking inflation into account. They would increase the airport's annual handling capacity to 74 million passengers, six million tonnes or cargo and 420,000 air traffic movements.
However, maintaining just two runways at HKIA means that the airport will reach its maximum runway capacity around 2020 as the expansion works will only meet the estimated air traffic demand in the medium term.
Adding a third runway will require the reclamation of 650 ha (1,626 acres) of land north of the existing airport island in a project that would cost about HK$86.2 billion in 2010 dollars or HK$136.2 billion when taking into account inflation. With the land reclamation, a new passenger concourse with 58 passenger aircraft parking stands can be built. Separately, another 36 stands for cargo flights will be added at the midfield concourse.
The third runway will be dedicated to arriving flights, said the airport in its proposal. The existing north runway will be used by departing aircraft while the south runway will be used for both arrivals and departures.
A third runway would enable the airport to handle 97 million passengers, 620,000 flights and 8.9 million tonnes of cargo a year by 2030, said the airport.
"This option will enable HKIA to meet forecasted traffic demand and maintain its extensive air network and connectivity up to and possibly beyond 2030," it added.
The airport is inviting feedback from stakeholders and the public in a three-month consultation exercise, which will end on 2 September.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
