Aerodrome Operating Minima
Air operators for public transport (airlines) must submit the details regarding their Aerodrome Operating Minima (AOM) to the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) before commencing operations at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
AOM contains instructions for pilots relating to under what visibility [in terms of Runway Visual Range (RVR)] and/or cloud ceiling can an aircraft take off, and under what visibility (again in terms of RVR) and visual reference can an aircraft continue the approach to land from the decision altitude (for precision approaches, e.g. Instrument Landing System (ILS)) or from the minimum descent altitude (for non-precision approaches).
There are a number of factors affecting AOM. They include aerodrome terrain profile, aircraft capability (e.g. aircraft climb performance, avionics capability), aerodrome equipment capability (e.g. runway lighting system and ILS), pilot capability, individual operator’s standard operating procedures and State (or Region) regulations.
When establishing the AOM, an operator has to conform to rules laid down by the State (or Region) of the Operator or/and observe any restrictions which might be applied by the State (or Region) of the Aerodrome.
Responsibility of the State (or Region) of the Operator
The State (or Region) of the Operator has the responsibility for approval of the method used to establish such minima and monitoring compliance with those rules it may prescribe for the operator as a whole.
Responsibility of the State (or Region) of the Aerodrome
The State (or Region) of the Aerodrome has to provide data such as Obstacle Clearance Altitude (OCA), details of electronic aids for an approach to landing, etc, to enable an operator to establish AOM for each runway intended to be used at that particular aerodrome. Since the State (or Region) of the Aerodrome has the responsibility for safety of air navigation within its own Flight Information Region (FIR), it retains the authority to accept the AOM submitted by operators.
Legislation
Pursuant to Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 (Cap. 448C, Laws of Hong Kong), a public transport aircraft registered outside Hong Kong shall not fly in or over Hong Kong unless the operator thereof shall have furnished to the Chief Executive such particulars as he may from time to time have required relating to the aerodrome operating minima specified by the operator in relation to aerodromes in Hong Kong for the purpose of limiting their use by the aircraft for take-off or landing, including any instructions given by the operator in relation to such aerodrome operating minima. The aircraft shall not fly in or over Hong Kong unless the operator shall have made such amendments or additions to the aerodrome operating minima so specified and any instructions so given as the Chief Executive may require for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the aircraft or the safety, efficiency or regularity of air navigation.
For non-Hong Kong operators to meet the above requirement, they shall submit the details regarding their AOM to the Director-General of Civil Aviation for the issuance of an “Accepted AOM” by CAD.
Non-Hong Kong operators are required to comply with the Accepted AOM or the acceptable AOM published in Aeronautical Information Publication Hong Kong (AIP) or the State Minima or the Company Minima whichever are more restrictive.
Application Procedures
Non-Hong Kong operators shall follow the requirements specified in the Aerodromes (AD) 1.1 of AIP and submit the following documents in conjunction with other documents required under GEN 1.2:-
(a) The completed AOM Form, i.e. DCA 236 
(PDF: 2.1MB). Specify the aircraft type(s) with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aircraft type designator(s) by referring to the ICAO Aircraft Type Designators website;
(b) The CAT II/III authorisation issued by their State (for operators who wish to conduct low visibility operations at HKIA); and
(c) The RNP APCH (LNAV/VNAV) authorisation issued by their State (for operators who wish to conduct such approach procedures at HKIA).
The completed application form and supporting documents shall be submitted to the Air Services and Safety Management Division of the CAD through the online E-filing system. Please visit the E-filing system website to apply for a user account for submission of the documents.
