Director-General's Review

Riding on the recovery momentum of last year, the Hong Kong aviation industry recorded a significant growth in air traffic for the year 2023-2024. All staff members of the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) remained steadfast in performing duties to provide reliable and efficient professional services, and spared no effort to take forward the department's pivotal work in various aspects.

During the year, the passenger throughput at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) increased by 265% year-on-year to 45.08 million and the aircraft movements increased by 92% year-on-year to 309 672. On the cargo side, as the global cargo demand remained robust, the air cargo throughput in Hong Kong rose by 9% year-on-year to 4.48 million tonnes, retaining the status of the HKIA as the world's busiest cargo airport in 2023.

To bolster Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub, the CAD pressed ahead with the preparatory work for the HKIA's Three-runway System (3RS) project in full swing over the year. This included installing various air navigation services equipment and related navigation systems, as well as conducting flight checks. The department also conducted a series of familiarisation training on operational conversion and procedures for air traffic control staff to ensure that they understand and are familiar with the air traffic control procedures of the 3RS. Throughout the process, the CAD has offered regulatory advice to the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), reviewed documents and conducted on-site assessments in respect of the 3RS preparatory work to ensure that the aerodrome licensing requirements are complied with.

Apart from the airport's hardware, the CAD has also provided full support for the AAHK to strengthen the connection services between the HKIA and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The new SkyPier Terminal, which commenced operation in August 2023, allows transfer passengers from Zhuhai or Macao to take bonded buses to the SkyPier Terminal via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and proceed to the restricted area in the HKIA. Checked baggage can also be transferred from the Zhuhai or Macao Port to the flight destinations directly. Throughout the implementation of the project, the CAD has been in close communication with the AAHK and provided regulatory advice to ensure that the relevant facilities and procedures comply with Hong Kong's aviation security requirements.

To further enhance operational safety and efficiency at the HKIA, the CAD strived to promote intelligentisation and application of technologies. The Digital Apron and Tower Management System, jointly implemented by the CAD and AAHK at the HKIA, was awarded the 2023 Technology Innovation Awards by the Airports Council International in June 2023; while our implementation of the Wake Turbulence Group and Approach Spacing Management System also won the runner-up honours in the "Greener Skies" category of the Air Traffic Management Awards 2023 presented by the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation in March 2024. These two awards underscored the recognition from the international institutions for CAD's achievements in the application of innovative technologies.

With the full support from the Flight Inspection Center of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the CAD trialed using small unmanned aircraft (SUA) to conduct flight checks for the HKIA's navigation aids in August 2023. This was another example of the department taking the initiative in exploring innovative measures in various fields. Compared with traditional flight inspection aircraft, SUA was more efficient in deployment, flexible in flight manipulation and environmentally friendly in flight inspections. Inspection results obtained by SUA aligned with those by traditional flight inspection aircraft.

Hong Kong has been enjoying the distinctive advantages of strong support from the motherland and close connection to the world. During the year, the CAD hosted several major international civil aviation events, including the Asia Pacific Region Innovation & Capacity Building Symposium 2023, the International Civil Aviation Organization's 34th Meeting of the Asia Pacific Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group and the 13th Meeting of Regional Aviation Safety Group - Asia Pacific Regions, attracting over 2 000 local and international guests. During the period when the events were held, with the strong support of the CAAC and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd., home-developed aircraft C919 and C909 visited Hong Kong for the first time. In addition to the static display of the C919 and the C909, the C919 also conducted a demonstration flight over Victoria Harbour. The visit of the two aircraft was an apt reflection of the great importance the country attached to the development of Hong Kong's aviation industry.

In addition to making every effort to take forward our professional work in civil aviation, the CAD also takes an active role in organising youth activities. The CAD Headquarters features a two-storey Aviation Education Path (AEP), which has been offering free guided tours to visitors since its opening in 2012. As of the end of March 2024, the AEP has received over 110 000 visitors. During the year, the CAD also partnered with the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol to launch the Youth in Aviation Programme, providing more opportunities for young people to enhance their understanding of the aviation industry.

Looking forward to the year ahead, with the 3RS targeted to commence full operation by the end of 2024, air traffic volume is expected to grow further. The professional teams of the CAD, while striving for the best in continuing our multi-faceted work in promoting aviation industry development and upholding aviation safety, will also seize the opportunities brought by the development of the GBA and better integrate into the overall development of the country, in order to strengthen Hong Kong's status as an international and regional aviation hub.