Director-General's Review

In 2018-19, the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) continued to strive to provide excellent air navigation service to all flights landing and departing Hong Kong and overflying the Hong Kong Flight Information Region (HKFIR). The CAD also regulated the civil aviation activities in Hong Kong and drove the development of local aviation industry, thereby ensuring aviation safety and reinforcing the city's position as an international aviation hub.

Air traffic management (ATM) is one of the top priorities of the CAD. The ATM workload has become increasingly heavy amid the rapid growth in demand for air services. In 2018-19, the CAD handled 430 022 aircraft movements at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and 380 795 flights flying through the HKFIR, which represented year-on-year increases of 1.17% and 12.07% respectively, hitting successive record highs. The CAD handled 2 467 flights on 2 February 2019, setting a new single-day record.

Facing increasing challenges, we act proactively and stand ready to cope with any ATM-related emergency situations. When super typhoon Mangkhut struck Hong Kong in September 2018, the CAD, in collaboration with the Airport Authority Hong Kong and the aviation industry, was able to speedily restore air traffic order within 24 hours after Hurricane Signal No. 10 had been lowered. This fully demonstrated the professionalism, teamwork and effectiveness of CAD staff in overcoming difficulties.

The CAD has been implementing effective measures to ensure that air cargo is in compliance with international aviation security requirements. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) issued a new policy direction in 2016 that all air cargo should be subject to security screening starting from 1 July 2021. Working closely with the air cargo industry, the CAD launched the Regulated Air Cargo Screening Facility (RACSF) Scheme in October 2018 to enable cargo screening at off-airport locations before such cargoes are transported to the airport for loading onto aircraft. This new measure not only aims to uplift Hong Kong's level of aviation security and overall screening capacity for export air cargo in meeting the new global aviation security requirement, but also befits the modus operandi and development of the air cargo industry. It strives to keep up Hong Kong's leading position as an international air cargo hub.

To accommodate the fast technological development and diversified uses of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) while safeguarding public safety, the CAD proposed that legislative amendments should be made to enhance the regulatory regime taking into account recommendations of the consultancy study, views received from the public and stakeholders, as well as practices in other major jurisdictions. The proposed legislative amendments include the establishment of a UAS registration system, technical requirements for safe operations, and the designation of restricted flying zones. The CAD is preparing the draft legislation, with a view to tabling it into the Legislative Council as soon as possible. Legislation aside, the CAD will continue to strengthen its publicity and educational efforts in a bid to raise the awareness of the general public on the safety of UAS operations.

On 18 February 2019, the Central People's Government promulgated the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), with the aim of further deepening cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao and promoting co-ordinated economic development in the GBA. The Outline Development Plan clearly supports Hong Kong in consolidating and boosting the city's status as an international aviation hub and promotes positive interaction among the cities in the GBA. The objective is to promulgate the development of a world-class airport cluster in the GBA.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government supports nearby airports in the GBA to pursue development jointly based on complementarity and each airport's uniqueness. We will also further expand the GBA's domestic and international aviation networks, actively take forward inter-modal services, expedite the development of general aviation, expand cross-boundary helicopter services, and leverage Hong Kong's unique role as a centre for manpower training of the aviation industry and for aviation financing and leasing in spurring the development of the entire GBA.

The CAD has been joining forces with all related units in implementing relevant projects, which include strengthening airspace co-ordination and air traffic control co-operation as well as enhancing and restructuring the airspace, with a view to optimising airspace utilisation in the region. The CAD, the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao have started to use the fast time simulation software to assess the simulation work of the airspace and air traffic in the GBA. This provides data and technical support to the future airspace operation of the GBA to facilitate the design of a safe and effective airspace by experts from the three sides.

Looking ahead, the professional teams of the CAD will remain steadfast in their commitment and dedication to discharging their duties and putting forward various plans to safeguard aviation safety, promote the development of the aviation industry and meet the challenge of increasing demand for air services from the local public and overseas travellers.