Hong Kong International Airport Commissions Three-runway System

The Three-runway System (3RS) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) was commissioned today, marking a new milestone in Hong Kong’s aviation development.

All three runways start operating simultaneously today, providing the expanded capacity for HKIA to further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a major international aviation hub. HKIA’s target is to serve 120 million passengers and handle 10 million tonnes of cargo annually in about 10 years from now.

The commissioning ceremony, held at HKIA, was officiated by John KC Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); Zheng Yanxiong, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Xu Chengguang, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Transport, the People’s Republic of China (PRC); Liang Nan, Deputy Administrator of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC); Zou Jinsong, Director of Bureau III of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council; Fang Jianming, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC in the HKSAR; and Fred Lam, Chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK).

John KC Lee remarked in his address, “This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the PRC. The three-runway system of HKIA has been completed and is now in operation, carrying passengers from around the country and cargo to more destinations, and providing more options for global passenger and cargo flow into the Mainland, which is particularly significant. HKIA is an important gateway to the world for Hong Kong and the entire Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, playing a strategic role in social and economic development."

Fred Lam said at the ceremony, “The 3RS will significantly enhance the overall capacity of the airport, further expanding our extensive air traffic network and consolidating our position as an international aviation hub. The commissioning of the 3RS will provide impetus for the Airport City development and support Hong Kong's economic growth. Leveraging Hong Kong's unique strengths, the Airport City will be a world-leading new landmark, attracting visitors from all around the world and driving Hong Kong’s economic development.”

Construction works of 3RS started in August 2016. The new North Runway was officially commissioned in November 2022. Since then, HKIA has continued to operate with two runways, with the Centre Runway temporarily closed temporarily for reconfiguration. The reconfiguration works include relevelling of the runway pavement to tie in with connecting taxiways, constructing new runway entry and exit taxiways, building new wrap-around taxiways at both ends of the runway, and more. With the completion of the reconfiguration works, the flight check and aircraft crash and rescue exercise were completed on the Centre Runway in September and October respectively. After all three runways start operating simultaneously, the number of aircraft take-offs and landings at HKIA will gradually increase to tie in with air traffic demand.