✈️ Fly High, Hong Kong! The city just soared to new heights with the official launch of its three-runway system at Hong Kong International Airport on Thursday. This epic upgrade is set to skyrocket Hong Kong's status as a global aviation hub! 🌏
John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, couldn't be more thrilled. \"The new system will greatly enhance the airport's passenger and cargo capacity, bringing substantial business opportunities to Hong Kong,\" he said.
The three-runway system is expected to handle a whopping 120 million passenger trips and 10 million tonnes of cargo every year! That's a massive boost for travelers and businesses alike. 🚀
Lee urged the aviation industry to get back in the game swiftly. \"Let's rapidly restore air capacity, leverage the advantages of the Greater Bay Area, and expand international connections,\" he added.
Fred Lam, chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, called the operation of the new system a \"milestone.\" \"The three-runway system will create conditions to further expand the extensive air connectivity network, consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international aviation hub,\" he shared.
Top officials from the country, including Vice Minister of Transport Xu Chengguang and deputy head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China Liang Nan, attended the launching ceremony, voicing support for Hong Kong to better integrate into national development.
The whole project kicked off in August 2016 and is one of Hong Kong's largest infrastructure projects in recent years, with an estimated cost of around HK$141.5 billion (about $18.18 billion). 💰
The three-runway system includes the 3,800-meter third runway, an expansion of Terminal 2, a new concourse, an automated people mover system, and a baggage handling system. The third runway was already put into operation in July 2022. 🛄
Get ready to see Hong Kong connecting the world like never before!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
