Following are the opening remarks by the Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san, at the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy Graduation Ceremony 2024 today (November 29):
Simon (President of the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy, Mr Simon Li), Nicolas (Vice President of the National School of Civil Aviation of France, Mr Nicolas Cazalis), Christile (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mrs Christile Drulhe), Vivian (Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mrs Vivian Cheung), distinguished guests, fellow graduates and family members, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. It is with great honour and pleasure that I stand before you today at this prestigious graduation ceremony organised by the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy.
Today, we gather to celebrate a significant milestone of our graduates, a testament to your hard work and dedication to the aviation industry. I am particularly delighted to witness this occasion, as it not only marks the culmination of your learning journey but also heralds the beginning of a promising future for each of you in the aviation industry. Your achievements are a source of pride for your families, your instructors, and indeed, for all of us who are committed to contribute to the advancement of the aviation industry in Hong Kong.
I believe that this is an exciting time for you to join the aviation industry, especially with the commissioning of the Three-Runway System (3RS) of Hong Kong International Airport yesterday. The 3RS is not just an infrastructure project; it is a visionary step which aims to enhance our airport's competitiveness by significantly increasing the annual handling capacities of our airport to 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo by 2035.
The 3RS will create a wealth of career opportunities across various sectors of aviation, from air traffic management and airport operations to engineering, customer services and beyond. As graduates of the Academy, you are uniquely positioned to seize these opportunities. Your rigorous training and education have equipped you with the skills, knowledge, and resilience needed to thrive in this dynamic and rapidly evolving industry. These attributes are essential as we navigate the complexities of the aviation sector and strive for continuous improvement.
This is the first time we have our graduates from different levels of programmes in one ceremony, which perfectly demonstrates the Academy's efforts in providing various programmes to meet the career needs of aviation professionals, industry newcomers and young people. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Academy for its commitment to nurturing talents for the aviation industry of Hong Kong and the region since its establishment in 2016; and also the National School of Civil Aviation of France (ENAC) for your collaboration and support to the Advance Master programme over the years which helps nurture aviation management talents coming from not only Hong Kong but also Mainland China and various Belt and Road countries. I believe that the Academy, and its strong alliance formed with ENAC, will continue to provide staunch support to Hong Kong's development as a prominent international aviation hub.
In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you and your family members on this remarkable achievement. Your dedication and commitment have paid off, and today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your lives. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and look forward to seeing the incredible impact you will make in the Hong Kong aviation industry and beyond.
Thank you.
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