Hong Kong International Airport, the world’s largest air cargo hub, is on track to finish its third runway in 2022. The airport authority on September 7 announced a major milestone of the three-runway system (3RS) project as runway pavement works were completed.
Jack So, chairman of the authority, said: “Construction works of 3RS started in August 2016, which entails the formation of 650 hectares of land by reclamation. With the completion of reclamation and runway pavement works, we are confident that the new runway will commence operations next year as planned.”
“Other works including expansion of Terminal 2 (T2), construction of T2 Concourse, a new automated people mover system and high-speed baggage handling system will be completed in 2024 on schedule and within budget.”
In its latest monthly figures for August, HKIA saw cargo throughput up 15.5 percent at 429,000 tonnes, with imports, exports and transshipments all recording double-digit growth. On the other hand, despite handling more than 7,000 passengers daily in August, compared to the same month last year, HKIA’s passenger traffic amounted to a rough 4 percent of the pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The airport says the third runway will allow up to 10 million tonnes in cargo volume. Last year, Hong Kong airport slipped to second most busiest air cargo hub, behind Memphis airport (MEM), as it recorded around 4.5 million tonnes for 2020.
