The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, met with the Deputy Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Mr Lyu Erxue, at the Central Government Offices today (July 30) to exchange views on issues including the aviation development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Mr Chan said that the Outline Development Plan for the GBA promulgated the development of a world-class airport cluster in the GBA, consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub, as well as promoting positive interaction amongst the cities in the GBA.
He pointed out that there were three aviation authorities in the GBA, and the civil aviation personnel could learn from each other their various exemplary experiences. With their concerted efforts, the standard of civil aviation industry in the GBA would be further enhanced to a world-class level. The GBA is densely populated and economically vibrant. The airports in the GBA are closely located with heavy traffic flow, and its aviation industry is growing rapidly. Hong Kong is committed to advancing the construction and implementation of the Three-Runway System at the Hong Kong International Airport. Mr Chan believed that, through close co-operation and exchange of views among stakeholders, the airports in the GBA would grow and benefit together.
Mr Lyu said there had been rapid developments in air transport in the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao in recent years. The three parties maintain close contact and collaboration, which contributed to building a solid foundation for the safe and smooth operation of civil aviation in the GBA. The Outline Development Plan for the GBA announced this year brought new opportunities and challenges for civil aviation. The Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao will further consolidate and deepen co-operation and develop approaches that are both practical and effective so as to enhance efficiency and create an airport economic area with international influence.
Witnessed by Mr Chan and Mr Lyu, the Director-General of the Air Traffic Management Bureau of the CAAC, Mr Che Jinjun; the Director-General of the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong, Mr Simon Li; and the President of the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao, Mr Chan Weng-hong, signed the Agreement on Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Airspace Collaborative Development. Through friendly dialogues and collaboration, in accordance with the Basic Law and respective law and regulations of parties concerned, the three parties agreed to promote technical exchange among aviation industry in the GBA; collaborate in personnel training and training accreditation; as well as continue with the introduction of new technologies, air traffic management data platforms and personnel interaction at different levels. Mr Chan thanked the support of CAAC on the civil aviation development in Hong Kong, and was pleased to note that the Pearl River Delta Region Air Traffic Management Planning and Implementation Tripartite Working Group will continue to take forward air traffic management enhancement measures to progressively achieve the ultimate target runway capacity of 102 air traffic movements per hour under the Three-Runway System at Hong Kong International Airport and support the sustainable development of other airports in the region.
The three parties will sign the Co-operative Arrangement on Enhancing Aviation Security on August 1 in Macao to promote sharing of information and technical exchange so as to enhance aviation security.
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