Air cargo terminal operator AsiaAirfreight Terminal Co. Ltd (AAT),built at a cost of HK$1.75 billion,hopes to grow organically and alsohave a better chance of attracting newcustomer airlines which fly into HongKong, thanks to the Airport Authority’spromotional efforts.

The new facility features a fourstoreywarehouse area of 130,000 m2,two airside levels and landside accessto every warehouse level.

T2 will increase AAT’s current handlingcapacity to 1.5 million tonnesper annum, representing 30 percentof HKIA’s handling capacity .

In 2006, HKIA handled more thanHK$1.7 trillion worth of air cargo, accountingfor more than 34 percent ofHong Kong’s external trade.

Presently, negotiations are takingplace between AAT and customersabout occupancy in T2, which receivedits occupational permit on December20, 2006 and was declared practicallycompleted on December 22, 2006.

“From mid-night of December 27,2006, AAT started using T2 for processingexports of pre-packed cargo onthe ground floor of the facility,” AATgeneral manager – planning & services,Nelson Lee said, adding that the facilitywas being more significantly utilisedfrom February, 2007 after all systemswere installed. Thai Airways will be AAT’snewest customer from April 18, 2007.