The Airport Standards Division (APSD) is responsible for the regulatory functions in respect of airport safety, aviation security, control of obstructions, and safe transport of dangerous goods by air. The division also facilitates the development of heliports, monitors the safety and security of heliport operations, develops and implements noise mitigating measures, assesses and monitors the development of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) expansion including the Three-Runway System (3RS), and assumes the role in coordinating airport facilitation.

Airport Safety

Aerodrome Licensing

The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) is granted an aerodrome licence by the CAD to operate HKIA. APSD continued to exercise safety oversight on the performance of AAHK to ensure its compliance with the aerodrome licensing requirements.

The division carried out 14 audits and 131 inspections during the year covering both ad-hoc and scheduled airside maintenance works, conditions of airfield pavements, visual aids, other facilities required for aircraft operations, implementation of the Safety Management System, emergency planning, airport rescue and firefighting services, aircraft ground operations provided by AAHK and its ground handling agents, as well as airfield expansion projects. The division also participated in the franchisee audits carried out by AAHK and monitored investigation of aircraft ground incidents to ensure that effective oversight was duly exercised by AAHK on franchisees' safety performance and appropriate corrective measures had been taken by responsible parties to prevent recurrence.

Several large-scale airfield maintenance projects were undertaken by AAHK during the year. The South Runway resurfacing project, which started in November 2017, was completed in December 2019. Another pavement resurfacing works for the Taxiways started in October 2019 and was planned to complete in July 2021. AAHK’s phased replacement of the fluorescent lighting boxes of the Movement Area Guidance Signs by LED lighting boxes started in March 2019 and progressed well for its overall completion by end 2020. To enhance the durability of runway stop bar lights for extended operation hours, AAHK started to replace the stop bar lights with LED lights. The project began in January 2019 and 12 out of 33 sets of stop bar light had been replaced with LED fittings by the end of March 2020. Besides, AAHK’s Sky Bridge connecting Terminal 1 and North Satellite Concourse achieved a major milestone as the prefabricated bridge deck was successfully delivered to its final position in January 2020. APSD, alongside the Air Traffic Management Division and AAHK, carefully planned the transport process and closely monitored the whole process on the day of delivery to ensure aviation safety and minimal disruption to the normal airfield operations. The Sky Bridge is scheduled for commissioning in the first half of 2021.

Works continued for Midfield Apron Development. Construction of six additional remote parking stands, including two being capable of accommodating Code F aircraft, were completed in January 2020. The final phase of the project involving construction of another new taxilane and nine additional remote parking stands is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2020. Prior to the commissioning of the new facilities, APSD closely liaised with AAHK and conducted on-site inspections to ensure that the design, facilities provision and aerodrome operations are in compliance with the aerodrome licensing requirements.

During the year, AAHK introduced a number of new initiatives at HKIA with a view to enhancing operational safety and efficiency. One example is the inauguration of Multiple Aircraft Ramp System (MARS). AAHK commenced the MARS operations at designated remote parking stands of the Midfield Apron in July 2019. Under MARS operation, 10 Code E/F stands may be converted to a maximum of 18 Code C aircraft parking positions with all physical characteristics and operating procedures meeting the aerodrome licensing requirements. With the MARS arrangement in place, the flexibility of parking stand assignment had been enhanced to cater for the latest aircraft deployment plan of the air operators. APSD will continue to provide regulatory advice on new initiatives introduced by AAHK in order to enhance operational efficiency and at the same time ensuring aerodrome safety.

For the purpose of testing the emergency response procedures and enhancing the coordination between the aerodrome operator and relevant responding parties when dealing with aircraft accidents, AAHK conducted a number of drills and exercises throughout the year. APSD actively participated in the planning meetings and conducted regular inspections on these drills and exercises. The division would continue to oversee the preparation and operation of the exercise from planning until completion and provide regulatory advice for AAHK and relevant responding parties to enhance the emergency procedures and responses.

APSD continued to monitor AAHK's aerodrome safety management activities to ensure compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). During the year, AAHK updated their risk assessment register for the new airfield development projects and procedures to record those risks arising from changes to existing operational environment. AAHK issued a guidance document in May 2019 and organised workshops for their staff on preparing risk assessment report and risk register. The division provided feedback on the maintenance of the register for follow up actions by AAHK.

Safety Regulation

Heliport Operations and Development

APSD continued to monitor the safety of heliport operations and provide regulatory advice on the planning and design of heliports in Hong Kong. Furthermore, the Division has also been tasked to facilitate the development of cross-boundary helicopter services between the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong.

In 2019, the promulgation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by the Central People’s Government and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to expand the Air Services Arrangement between the Mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have facilitated potential operators to develop cross-boundary helicopter services. In order to explore the feasibility of actual operations and other technical arrangements, two Mainland commercial helicopter operators had conducted a total of nine trial flights in 2019 between different destinations, including Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport and Sheung Wan Sky Shuttle Heliport.

During the year, the construction of the Government Flying Service Kai Tak Division at the ex-Kai Tak Runway Tip continued. To ensure that the heliport facilities fully comply with the latest international standards, APSD continued to provide technical advice on heliport design, taking into account the possibility of co-locating commercial cross-boundary helicopter services at this location in the future.

Control of Obstructions

Airport Height Restrictions (AHR) are established to protect aircraft flight paths and radio navigational aids. APSD assessed and provided regulatory advice on various building and development projects and feasibility studies to ensure their compliance with AHR and other applicable aviation safety requirements. The major development projects and studies outside HKIA assessed during the year included the Topside Development of the Hong Kong Port, Tung Chung New Town Extension and Lantau Development. The major development projects within HKIA assessed included HKIA's Midfield Apron Development, North Commercial District Development, Reclamation and Construction Works for the Expansion of HKIA into a 3RS. In addition, regarding AAHK’s project to expand HKIA into a 3RS, the division provided regulatory advice on AHR requirements and the associated Marine Exclusion Zones (MEZs) for an expanded airport system in order to ensure aviation safety of the flight paths.

As the reclamation works and construction works to expand HKIA into a 3RS at the waters around HKIA proceeded, a large number of working vessels and machinery were deployed by contractors to work in close proximity to HKIA under the flight paths of the two-runway airport. APSD took a proactive approach to direct AAHK's project consultants and contractors to commission a vessel/machinery height monitoring system. It was designed to operate round-the-clock for monitoring the highest altitude of vessels/machinery working at the reclamation and work sites near HKIA and enhancing the contractor's compliance with the AHR requirements and therefore minimising any adverse effect to the flight paths. This arrangement was particularly important for the division's consideration of applications for temporary AHR exemption involving high air draft vessels and tall machinery. APSD closely monitored the performance of contractors in complying with the AHR requirements for submission and implementation of corresponding improvement measures as and when necessary. The division also participated in various meetings with AAHK's project consultants and contractors, and offered regulatory advice from time to time to ensure that the construction methods including the choice of construction plants would fully comply with the AHR requirements.

This year, the division issued 285 temporary AHR exemptions for the construction works in the territory and vessel operations in the vicinity of the Airport Island, of which 228 were associated with the reclamation works for the expansion of HKIA into a 3RS, and the remaining 57 issued to other small-scale or one-off operations.

With the assistance of the Marine Department, APSD continued to ensure integrity of the MEZs established in the vicinity of the Airport Island to safeguard the operation of aircraft and radio navigational aids. During the year, four prosecutions against illegal entry into the MEZs were instituted by the Marine Department.

HKIA Expansion into 3RS Operations

While AAHK is pursuing detailed design and commissioning of HKIA airport expansion into 3RS operations, APSD has undertaken monitoring of the airport expansion to ensure that 3RS related project works are in full compliance with the relevant ICAO requirements on aerodrome. The division also worked closely with AAHK and other government departments to formulate expanded AHR requirements and associated regulation of marine traffic for the purpose of safeguarding the future 3RS operations.

Prohibition of Lights Endangering Aircraft Operation

To ensure that aviation safety would not be compromised, APSD continued to monitor and give regulatory advice on the use of lasers, search lights and firework displays at different shows such as "A Symphony of Lights" as well as other lighting displays at building facades, especially illuminated advertisement signs.

General Aviation Activities

APSD continued to monitor the safety of recreational aviation activities, including paragliding, kite flying and model aircraft operations, to ensure that these activities were conducted in compliance with applicable aviation safety regulations and would not affect civil aircraft operations.

Carriage Of Dangerous Goods

The Dangerous Goods Office (DGO) of APSD regulates the transport of dangerous goods by air based on ICAO and local legal requirements. DGO has established a dangerous goods permission system whereby airlines which satisfy all pertinent safety requirements will be granted a permission to carry dangerous goods to, from or over Hong Kong. During the year, seven new and 37 renewal applications for dangerous goods permissions were processed. At the end of March 2020, 103 airlines have been granted permissions. The office also approved 24 organisations for conducting dangerous goods training programmes for airlines, aviation security service providers, air cargo terminals, freight forwarders and shippers. DGO conducted regular and ad-hoc inspections to airlines, air cargo terminals, freight forwarders, shippers and training organisations to ensure their compliance with the safety requirements on air transport of dangerous goods. For any non-compliance identified during inspections, the concerned entities were required to submit and implement corrective action plans to the satisfaction of the CAD to prevent recurrence.

Promulgation of Safety Requirements

To enhance the awareness of the industry and the public of the safety requirements on air transport of dangerous goods, DGO continued to promulgate the safety requirements through various means. During the year, DGO distributed leaflets and posters, reviewed and updated the Department's website, and promoted safety requirements on air transport of dangerous goods when replying enquiries, and constantly reminded the industry to abide by the relevant safety requirements. In addition, DGO issued an advisory circular to the air cargo industry during the year concerning dangerous goods training programme approved by the CAD and the instructor qualification.

Legislation

To align the two sets of local legislation with the latest requirements of ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, DGO continued to take forward the related legislative amendment process during the year with the support of the air cargo industry. The legislative amendment which revised the definition of dangerous goods and provisions for dangerous goods carried by passengers and crew was effective from 31 January 2020.

Dangerous Goods Incidents

The incidents which occurred in the year were mainly related to undeclared dangerous goods in air cargo. DGO conducted investigations into all these incidents to prevent recurrence. The CAD has also been taking prosecution actions against the concerned entities that were found contravening the dangerous goods legislation. In close cooperation with the air cargo industry, the implementation of the Enhanced Control, Surveillance and Inspection Measures for Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air continued in order to step up the regulatory efforts in managing undeclared and misdeclared dangerous goods occurrences. In addition, useful incident information was disseminated to the air cargo industry in Hong Kong and other aviation authorities.

Aircraft Noise Management

The CAD is conscious of the impact of aircraft noise on the community and has implemented a series of noise mitigating measures based on the guidelines of ICAO. The division monitored the implementation of various noise mitigating measures and the aircraft noise situations in various districts through the computerised Aircraft Noise and Flight Track Monitoring System. The system comprises 16 outdoor noise monitoring terminals which are installed at strategic locations in Hong Kong to monitor and record noise data for aircraft operating into and out of HKIA, and a computer system which correlates the noise data collected with the actual aircraft flight tracks detected by the CAD's radar system.

Apart from the aircraft noise abatement operational procedures, the CAD has prohibited aircraft not meeting the relevant aircraft noise standards from landing and taking off in Hong Kong since 2002. To further alleviate aircraft noise disturbance to local communities, starting from end of March 2019, aircraft that do not comply with the noise standards stipulated in Volume I, Part II, Chapter 4 of Annex 16 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, or equivalent, are not allowed to operate at HKIA between 10 pm and 7 am the following day. The CAD will review this arrangement from time to time and closely monitor the latest developments of ICAO, the international aviation industry and the operation of HKIA in considering the need to step up the relevant requirement.

During the year, the division handled 367 aircraft noise complaints. Detailed investigation was carried out for every single case and the results would be explained to the complainants. With a view to enhancing the understanding of the noise mitigating measures and noise monitoring work, representatives of the division attended various meetings with the District Councils and local residents.

Aviation Security

Security Oversight of Operators at HKIA

APSD ensured that AAHK and the operators at HKIA, including tenant restricted area operators, aircraft operators and aircraft catering supplies and stores operators, complied with the requirements in the Hong Kong Aviation Security Programme through audits and inspections.

HKIA Developments

During the report period, the division processed 10 proposals of restricted area designations of HKIA under the Aviation Security Ordinance. The designations included the revamp of the food court in East Hall of Terminal 1, the expansion of Departure Immigration Hall North, the second phase expansion of DHL Central Asia Hub, the commissioning of Terminal 1 Annex Building, the decommissioning of Terminal 2, the relocation of baggage in-feed facility of Terminal 2, the new Automated People Mover Depot, and other minor projects. The division conducted site assessments to ensure that adequate security control measures were provided for the protection of the re-designated restricted areas. The division also worked with AAHK in the 3RS related projects and other facility development projects to ensure that they complied with relevant aviation security requirements.

Air Cargo Security

Under the Regulated Agent Regime (RAR), a cargo agent registered as a Regulated Agent (RA) with the CAD is required to provide security control measures on consignments of air cargo and apply screening on prescribed sources of air cargo. As at 31 March 2020, there were 1 486 RAs registered with the CAD. APSD continued to monitor compliance of the RAs with the requirements of the RAR through regular inspections, and required them to submit and implement corresponding corrective action plans when any non-compliance was identified.

Pursuant to a new policy direction announced by ICAO on air cargo security, during the year the division continued to implement the Regulated Air Cargo Screening Facility (RACSF) scheme to enable and regulate air cargo screening at off-airport locations. This new measure not only aims to enhance Hong Kong's overall screening capacity for export air cargo, but also befits the modus operandi and development of the air cargo industry with a view to enhancing air cargo security whilst maintaining Hong Kong's leading position as an international air cargo hub. As at 31 March 2020, there were over 90 RACSFs registered with the CAD.

Facilitation

Through the Hong Kong Air Transport Facilitation Committee, APSD continued the effort in monitoring the implementation at HKIA of the SARPs of ICAO Annex 9 and coordination with senior management of relevant departments, agencies and other organisations on facilitation activities at strategic level. The Hong Kong Air Transport Facilitation Programme was drawn up in December 2019 to facilitate the movement of aircraft, crews, passengers, cargo, mail and stores. Besides, to facilitate crew members of Hong Kong registered aircraft operators in discharging their flight duties, APSD issued Crew Member Certificates (CMC) in accordance with ICAO Annex 9. During the year, 2 233 CMC were issued and the CAD planned to renew over 20 000 CMC by end 2020.

International Activities

APSD continued to communicate with overseas aviation authorities, including the Transportation Security Administration of the United States and Office of Transport Security of Australia, to share information on best practices of security measures for enhancing aviation security in Hong Kong, and participate in international meetings and programmes for monitoring the development of aviation security measures.