Question:     Please give reasons why, other than Salaries and Mandatory Provident Fund contribution, there are significant increases in the estimates for all remaining items under operational expenses.

Asked by:     Hon. CHAN Kam-lam  

Head : 28 Civil Aviation Department          Subhead (No. & title) :

Programme :             (3) Air Traffic Management

Controlling Officer :   Director-General of Civil Aviation

Director of Bureau :   Secretary for Economic Development and Labour

Question : Regarding Matters Requiring Special Attention in 2005-06, it is stated that the department will continue to co-ordinate with adjacent air traffic control authorities to facilitate the operation of aircraft to and from Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Macau and Hong Kong airports.  What are the details and the estimated resources involved?

Asked by :       Hon. YOUNG Howard

Reply :      The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) will continue to co-ordinate with neighbouring air traffic control authorities in the Pearl River Delta to improve the existing air traffic control procedures.   A tripartite working group, comprising representatives from the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macau and CAD, is now working closely on the long-term airspace and air traffic management plan for the provision of reliable and efficient air traffic control services to support air services growth in the region up to 2020.   The working group met twice in 2004-05.  Such co-ordinating work is absorbed by existing resources in CAD’s Air Traffic Management Division.  

Head :      28 Civil Aviation Department Subhead (No. & title) : 

Programme :                (3) Air Traffic Management

Controlling Officer :      Director-General of Civil Aviation

Director of Bureau :      Secretary for Economic Development and Labour

Question : Regarding Matters Requiring Special Attention in 2005-06, it is stated that the department will continue to refine the air traffic control procedures and effect improvement to facilities, in view of promoting flight safety and operational efficiency and enhancing air traffic control system capacity.  What are the details and how much provision will be allocated?

Asked by :       Hon. YOUNG Howard

Reply :      In 2005-06, the Civil Aviation Department will introduce new departure and approach procedures that are supported by the Global Positioning System navigation.  The new procedures will provide more accurate track keeping of aircraft and enhance flight safety.

The review and refining of air traffic control procedures is an ongoing function of the department.  The work is undertaken by the Air Traffic Management Division using existing resources.  The provision for the Division in 2005-06 is $255.8 million.

Head :      28 Civil Aviation Department  Subhead (No. & title) :

Programme :          (5) Air Services

Controlling Officer :   Director-General of Civil Aviation

Director of Bureau : Secretary for Economic Development and Labour

Question : It is stated that during 2005-06, the department will continue to review the demand for helicopter services and take forward necessary statutory procedures for the development of heliports.  How much resources have been allocated to develop helicopter services and how much resources and manpower will be involved in taking forward necessary statutory procedures for development?  What are the plans in 2005-06?

Asked by :        Hon. YOUNG Howard

Reply :      To facilitate the development of cross-boundary helicopter services in Hong Kong, the Government would proceed with the expansion of the existing cross-boundary heliport at the Macau Ferry Terminal (MFT).  In 2005-06, the Government will complete the detailed environmental impact assessment study for the MFT expansion project and will conduct an open tendering exercise for the development and operation of the expanded facility.  To meet the demand for cross-boundary helicopter services in the long term, we will continue to explore the feasibility of developing another cross-boundary heliport near the proposed cruise terminal in South East Kowloon under the current Kai Tak Planning Review. 

As regards domestic helicopter services, we have completed a preliminary technical feasibility study on a proposed domestic heliport in Sheung Wan.  The Legislative Council (LegCo), the District Councils concerned and the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee were consulted on this proposal between December 2004 and February 2005.  In view of the public views expressed and the LegCo's support for allowing commercial uses at the Government helipad planned at the site near the Convention and Exhibition Centre, we are currently re-examining the way forward.

As regards resources, the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) would spend about $570,000 for the consultancy study on the environmental impact assessment for the MFT expansion project.  CAD will continue to use existing manpower resources for these projects.