Officials from Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd. (Hactl) have praised the government’s conditional approval of a third runway at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), reports Air Cargo World.
In a press release, Hactl MD, Mark Whitehead, explained why increased capacity is critical to HKIA’s current and future success. Last year, HKIA trumped Memphis International Airport as the world’s busiest cargo airport, ending the FedEx hub’s 18-year reign. Without a third runway, HKIA’s title could be in jeopardy, Whitehead said.
“The global airfreight market, and the market in this region in particular, is expected to grow in leaps and bounds in the next two decades,” he said. “HKIA needs to grow to meet the increases in volumes.”
Whitehead added that a third runway will also give airlines operating out of HKIA room to grow and create jobs at the airport. Plus, it will also ensure aircraft movements can be “maintained at safe levels”, and it will reduce the environmental impact of air traffic congestion.
