Airport operator Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) began work on the new three-runway system (3RS) at Hong Kong International Airport in China yesterday (August 1), including the construction of a new passenger building.
The 3RS project entails reclaiming approximately 650 hectares of land to accommodate the new runway and passenger building, and is scheduled for completion in 2024.
AAHK will connect the Third Runway Passenger Building with Terminal 2 (T2) via an automated people mover system, and will make a number of structural changes to T2 to accommodate the additional facilities. The terminal will also be fitted with a new high-speed baggage handling system, as well as expanded road and transportation networks.
To protect the environment, non-dredge methods including deep cement mixing will be adopted for land formation, while the 3RS buildings will incorporate a range of green and sustainable features in its design, construction and operational aspects. Upon completion, the 3RS will be able to handle an additional 30 million passengers annually, equipping the airport with the capacity to handle around 100 million passengers by 2030.
Jack So Chak-kwong, chairman of AAHK, said, “The 3RS is a critical infrastructure project to support the aviation industry and the long-term economic development of Hong Kong. We urgently need this expansion project as Hong Kong Airport’s existing two-runway system is reaching its full capacity.
Right: design rendering of the 3RS project
“With the additional capacity to be provided by the 3RS, airlines can provide more destinations and more frequent flights, and passengers will have more choices and convenience. Some 139,000 man-years of construction jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase, with approximately 123,000 employment opportunities created upon the commencement of operations.
“While the construction of 3RS is ongoing, we will not lose focus on constantly upgrading Hong Kong Airport. We are proud of the fact that our award-winning airport is the world’s third busiest international passenger airport and also has the largest cargo throughput. But we cannot be complacent. Apart from strengthening management, we have set up a special task force to research into and develop new hardware and software with a view to further enhancing our efficiency and enriching passenger experience.”