The Hong Kong government is determined to press ahead with expansion of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), including a third terminal and third runway, in the next five years, despite a continuous decline in air traffic since the start of the financial meltdown, the South China Morning Post reported.
The third terminal and runway were among projects to be finalised in the next five to six years.
Cargo volumes, and passenger numbers, at the airport have been declining since August.
Cargo fell 7.5 percent year-on-year in September and 9.2 percent last month, while passenger numbers shrank 4.7 percent and 1.4 percent.
International cargo terminal operator Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals also announced this month that it handled only 222,166 tonnes of cargo in October, a year-on-year drop of 9.8 per cent.
The Airport Authority blamed the global financial crisis for the reduction in visitors, imports, exports and transhipments.
But according to sources, the temporary decline would not stop the government from expanding the airport to maintain its regional advantage.
Apart from the much-discussed third runway, key plans under study include building a third terminal and further developing the middle field area of the airport.
The building of new cargo handling and airline catering facilities was also being considered.
CargoNewsAsia
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