Policy Address
Consolidating Hong Kong’s Status as an International Aviation Hub
Three-Runway System Development
47. Capitalising on its advantages in terms of geographical location and management, the HKIA has strived to reform for the better in recent years. Although the global aviation industry is badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, we maintain full confidence in Hong Kong as an international aviation hub. The Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Outline Development Plan) also explicitly mentions Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub. The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) will commission the third runway in 2022 and the entire Three-Runway System in 2024 as planned. It is expected that the premium logistics centre will be completed in 2023 and the SKYCITY development projects will be completed in phases between 2021 and 2027.
Hong Kong-Zhuhai Airport Co-operation
48. The AAHK has been operating and managing the Zhuhai Airport under a franchise since 2006 with excellent results. The commissioning of the HZMB provides an opportunity for further co-operation between the two airports by integrating the Mainland aviation network of the Zhuhai Airport with the international network of the HKIA, strengthening the competitive edge of the entire GBA in aviation, thereby enabling Hong Kong’s aviation business to play a key dual role in the “dual circulation” policy. I have earlier put forth a series of recommendations to the Central Government on consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub, which include allowing the AAHK to inject equity in the Zhuhai Airport on the basis of market principles for achieving greater synergy between the two airports. I would like to express my gratitude to the Central Government for its full support to these recommendations during my visit to Beijing. The Civil Aviation Administration of China has also agreed to commence preparation for the provision of cross-boundary commercial helicopter services between Guangdong and Hong Kong, which will enhance the internationalised business environment in the GBA.
