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 and cross-boundary helicopter services, monitors the safety and security of heliport operations, assesses and oversees the development and operations of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) under the Two-runway System (2RS) and Interim Two-runway System (I-2RS) and the HKIA's expansion to the Three-runway System (3RS), and assumes the role in coordinating airport facilitation.
The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) is granted an aerodrome licence by the CAD to operate the HKIA. The APSD exercises safety oversight on the performance of the AAHK to ensure its compliance with the aerodrome licensing requirements.
The division carried out 13 audits and 130 inspections during the year covering both ad-hoc and scheduled airfield 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 the AAHK and its ground handling agents, technological applications for airport operations, as well as airfield expansion and enhancement projects. The division also participated in the franchisee audits carried out by the AAHK and monitored investigation of aircraft ground incidents to ensure that effective oversight was duly exercised by the AAHK on franchisees' safety performance and appropriate corrective measures had been taken by responsible parties to prevent recurrence. In view of the anticipated increase in the number of newly recruited airport operating staff amid air traffic resumption, the division will closely liaise with the AAHK to monitor the safety training provided by the franchisees for such staff with a view to enhancing safety awareness.
Several large-scale airfield maintenance projects were undertaken by the AAHK during the year. The AAHK's three-phase programme of pavement resurfacing works for the taxiways started in October 2019, with Phase 1 completed in August 2021. Phase 2 of the programme started in October 2021 and is targeted to conclude by the fourth quarter of 2023. To enhance the durability of aerodrome ground lights, the AAHK started to replace the aerodrome ground lights with LED lights. The project began in January 2019 and was scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2027. Besides, for the final phase of West Cargo Apron Development Project, one taxilane was upgraded in June 2022 to accommodate Code F aircraft and the remaining nine parking stands will be upgraded or reconfigured by the second quarter of 2023.
In preparation for the implementation of I-2RS and 3RS at the HKIA, the APSD carried out a series of assessments and inspections on the Third Runway, designated as the North Runway, and its associated taxiways to ensure compliance with the relevant Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and aerodrome licensing requirements. The aerodrome licence covering the operations of the North Runway and its associated taxiways was granted to the AAHK on 31 May 2022.
Following a series of airfield modification works at the HKIA for transitioning from the 2RS to I-2RS operations, the North Runway commenced flight operation familiarisation on 8 July 2022 and the Centre Runway was subsequently closed for reconfiguration. After four months of operation familiarisation, the North Runway was officially commissioned on 25 November 2022. The division will continue to support the ongoing work in preparation for the implementation of the Three-runway System, and give regulatory advice to the AAHK in a timely manner to ensure the operation of the HKIA is in compliance with the aerodrome licensing requirements.
For the purpose of testing the emergency response procedures and enhancing the coordination between the aerodrome operator and relevant responding parties when handling aircraft accidents, the AAHK conducted a number of drills and exercises throughout the year. Before the grant of the aerodrome licence covering the operations of the North Runway on 31 May 2022, an aircraft crash exercise was conducted on 24 May 2022 on the North Runway for its first time. The exercise simulated a fire-fighting and rescue operation for an arrival A320neo aircraft which caught fire after the starboard engine stroke the runway amid gusting wind. Different responding parties, including the AAHK, relevant government departments and participating airline, took part in the exercise to familiarise themselves with the emergency procedures in handling an aircraft accident on the North Runway. The division oversaw the preparation and operation of these drills and exercises and provided regulatory advice for the AAHK and relevant responding parties to further enhance the emergency procedures and responses.
The APSD continued to closely monitor the AAHK's aerodrome safety management activities to ensure adherence to ICAO SARPs. During the year, the division provided regulatory advice to the AAHK in the continual update process of their risk assessment register recording the risks arising from changes to the airport operational environment (including the transition to I-2RS operations).
To support the development of the HKIA into a smart airport, the APSD closely liaised with the AAHK in formulating comprehensive testing and trial programmes regarding the implementation of technological applications for airport operations. Since October 2022, the Autonomous Electric Tractors operations had been expanded to live cargo towing between the Cargo Apron and West Cargo Apron upon successful trials. The AAHK also conducted a proof-of-concept for the use of Remote-controlled Pushback Tractor and commenced trials at the HKIA in February 2023. The first Autonomous Shuttle Bus for transporting airport operating staff between Terminal 1 (T1) Midfield Concourse and Midfield Operation and Maintenance Building also achieved satisfactory test and trial results in phases during the year. The APSD surveyed every process of the above tests and trials, and provided regulatory advice to ensure the safety and efficiency of airport operations.
The APSD kept monitoring the safety of heliport operations and providing regulatory advice on the planning and design of heliports in Hong Kong. The division has also been tasked to facilitate the development of cross-boundary helicopter services between the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong.
The division, together with its policy bureau, has been liaising with the Mainland counterparts to take forward the development of cross-boundary commercial helicopter services with a view to expanding such services between Hong Kong and cities in Guangdong Province.
The construction of the Government Flying Service (GFS) Kai Tak Division at the ex-Kai Tak Runway Tip was completed during the year. The division conducted joint on-site inspections with the GFS on the heliport facilities to ensure their compliance with the applicable international standards, and provided regulatory advice relating to the safe operations of the heliport. The APSD will continue to liaise with the GFS on the operations of its Kai Tak Division, taking into account the possibility of co-locating cross-boundary commercial helicopter services at this location in the future.
Airport Height Restrictions (AHR) are established to protect aircraft flight paths and radio navigational aids. The APSD assessed and provided regulatory advice on various building and development projects and feasibility studies to ensure their observance of the AHR requirements under the existing I-2RS and the forthcoming 3RS operations and other applicable aviation safety requirements. The major development project and study outside the HKIA assessed during the year included the Airport City development strategy and its associated projects including the Airport City Link and SKYCITY developments, and the Premium Logistics Centre at Kwo Lo Wan. The major development projects within the HKIA assessed included the Sky Bridge Development. In addition, regarding the AAHK's project to expand the HKIA into a 3RS, the division provided regulatory advice on the AHR requirements and the associated Marine Exclusion Zones (MEZs) for an expanded airport system in order to safeguard aviation safety of the flight paths.
As the reclamation works to expand the HKIA into a 3RS at the waters around the HKIA and the construction works on the reclaimed land proceeded, a large number of working vessels and machinery were deployed by contractors to work in close proximity to the HKIA. The APSD enforced the requirement for the AAHK, its project consultants and contractors to utilise the vessel/machinery height monitoring system in checking the highest altitude of vessels/machinery working at the reclamation and works sites near the HKIA and enhancing the contractor's observance of the AHR requirements. This arrangement was particularly important for the division's consideration of applications for temporary AHR exemption involving high air draft vessels and tall machinery. The APSD kept a close watch on the performance of contractors in observing the AHR requirements for submission and implementation of corresponding improvement measures as and when necessary. The division also participated in various meetings with the 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 358 temporary AHR exemptions for the construction works in the city and vessel operations in the vicinity of the Airport Island, of which 291 were associated with the reclamation and land-based works for the expansion of the HKIA into a 3RS, and the remaining 67 issued to other works projects or one-off operations.
With the considerable assistance of the Marine Department (MD), the 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, 26 prosecutions against illegal entry into the MEZs were instituted by the MD.
The division also worked closely with the AAHK and other government departments to formulate the expanded AHR requirements and associated regulation of marine traffic for the purpose of safeguarding the future 3RS operations. Relevant legislative amendments had been gazetted on 20 August 2021 and came into effect on 31 May 2022.
To safeguard aviation safety from being compromised, the APSD kept overseeing and giving 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.
The APSD continued to monitor the safety of recreational aviation activities, including paragliding, kite flying and non-power driven model aircraft operations, to ensure that these activities were conducted in adherence to applicable aviation safety regulations and would not affect civil aircraft operations.
The Dangerous Goods Office (DGO) of the APSD regulates the transport of dangerous goods by air based on ICAO and local legal requirements. The DGO has established a dangerous goods permission system whereby an airline which satisfies all pertinent safety requirements will be granted a permission to carry dangerous goods to, from or over Hong Kong. During the year, 25 new and 65 renewal applications for dangerous goods permissions were processed. At the end of March 2023, 158 airlines have been granted permissions. The office also approved 50 organisations for conducting dangerous goods training programmes for airlines, aviation security service providers, air cargo terminals, freight forwarders and shippers. The DGO conducted regular and ad-hoc inspections to airlines, air cargo terminals, freight forwarders, shippers and training organisations to ascertain 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 CAD's satisfaction to prevent recurrence.
To enhance the awareness of the industry and the public of the safety requirements on air transport of dangerous goods, the DGO sustained its efforts to promulgate the safety requirements through various means. During the year, the DGO published circulars and posters, reviewed and updated the Department's website, 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, the DGO issued three advisory circulars to the air cargo industry during the year on matters concerning the introduction to Competency-based Approach to Dangerous Goods Training and Assessment (CBTA), application for dangerous goods training programme approval under CBTA framework and dangerous goods training programmes approved by the CAD respectively.
To align the two sets of relevant local legislation with the latest requirements of ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, the DGO initiated the related legislative amendment process during the year with the support of the air cargo industry. The legislative amendments which included primarily updates to some technical requirements on the classification, packing, marking and labelling of certain dangerous goods for carriage by air are targeted to take effect from 30 June 2023.
The incidents which occurred in the year were mainly related to undeclared dangerous goods in air cargo. The 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 forged ahead with its 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.
The APSD conducted audits and inspections to ensure that the AAHK and the operators at the 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.
During the year, the division processed six proposals of restricted area designation of the HKIA under the Aviation Security Ordinance. The designations included the North Runway and its associated taxiways, DHL Central Asia Hub expansion works, expansion of T1 East Hall and SkyPier security screening hall, reconfiguration of Centre Runway and its associated taxiways, reconfiguration of Airfield Ground Maintenance Building and construction of landside road for access to 3RS west construction area, and Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre expansion project. The division conducted on-site assessments to confirm that adequate security control measures were provided for the protection of the re-designated restricted areas. The division also worked with the AAHK in the 3RS related projects, Sky Bridge connecting T1 to T1 Satellite Concourse, deployment of autonomous vehicles with video analytics to assist with security patrols at the perimeter of the restricted area and other airport development projects to ensure that they complied with the relevant aviation security requirements.
To strengthen the HKIA's status as an international air cargo hub, the AAHK has been actively developing sea-air cargo transshipment between the HKIA and other cities in the Greater Bay Area. Under a pilot scheme, the AAHK has established the Hong Kong International Airport Logistics Park (HKIALP) in Dongguan and an airside intermodal cargo pier at the HKIA. The export air cargo from the Mainland can be security screened, palletised and accepted for shipment at the HKIALP, and transported by vessels to the airside intermodal cargo pier at the HKIA for carriage on departure flights. Throughout the formulation and implementation of the pilot scheme, the division has closely liaised with the AAHK and provided regulatory advice on aviation security requirements. The Regulated Agents (RA), Regulated Air Cargo Screening Facility (RACSF), cargo terminal operators and aircraft operators, who would like to participate in the pilot scheme and had complied with the requirements, have been accepted to operate at the HKIALP and provide full range of export air cargo handling service since the fourth quarter of 2022.
The pilot scheme has been operating smoothly, and the AAHK is targeting to migrate the operations of the scheme to a permanent facility in the HKIA by 2025. The division will continue to closely liaise with the AAHK and provide regulatory advice on the applicable aviation security requirements.
Under the Regulated Agent Regime (RAR), a cargo agent registered as an RA with the CAD is required to provide security control measures on consignments of air cargo. As at 31 March 2023, there were over 1 400 RAs registered with the CAD. The APSD kept supervising the compliance of the RAs with the requirements of RAR through regular inspections, and required them to submit and implement corresponding corrective action plans when any non-compliance was identified.
During the year, the division continued to implement the RACSF Scheme to facilitate air cargo screening at off-airport locations. This measure not only increases Hong Kong's overall screening capacity for export air cargo, but also enhances air cargo security through achieving 100% security screening for export air cargo. As at 31 March 2023, there were over 150 RACSFs registered with the CAD.
Through the Hong Kong Air Transport Facilitation Committee, the APSD continued to oversee the implementation of the SARPs of ICAO Annex 9 at the HKIA and to coordinate with senior management of relevant government departments, agencies and other organisations on facilitation activities at strategic level. The committee convened in August 2022 to discuss the latest ICAO guidance for the prevention of COVID-19 and the necessary coordination facilitating the orderly post-pandemic recovery of air transport services. Besides, to facilitate crew members of Hong Kong registered aircraft operators in discharging their flight duties, the APSD issued Crew Member Certificates (CMC) in accordance with ICAO Annex 9. During the year, 1 339 CMC were issued.
The APSD maintained close communication with overseas aviation authorities to share information on best practices of security measures for enhancing aviation security in Hong Kong, and participated in international meetings and programmes for monitoring the development of measures related to aviation security and COVID-19.