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Airport Standards

The Airport Standards Division (APSD) is responsible for the regulatory functions in respect of airport safety, aviation security, control of obstructions, and the safe transport of dangerous goods by air. The division also facilitates the development of heliports and cross-boundary helicopter services, monitors the safety and security of heliport operations, assesses and oversees the operations of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) in its course of development works (e.g. the HKIA's expansion to the Three-runway System (3RS)) and assumes the role in co-ordinating airport facilitation.

Airport Safety

Aerodrome Licensing

The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) is granted an aerodrome licence by the CAD to operate the HKIA. The APSD exercises safety oversight on the performance of the AAHK to ensure its compliance with the aerodrome licensing requirements.

The division carried out 12 audits and 157 inspections during the year covering both ad-hoc and scheduled airfield maintenance works, conditions of airfield pavements, visual aids, other facilities required for aircraft operations, implementation of the Safety Management System, emergency planning, airport rescue and firefighting services, operation of aircraft ground support services provided by the AAHK and ground handling agents, technological applications for airport operations, as well as airfield development and enhancement projects. The division also participated in the franchisee audits carried out by the AAHK and monitored investigation of aircraft ground incidents to ensure that effective oversight was duly exercised by the AAHK on franchisees' safety performance and appropriate corrective measures had been taken by responsible parties to prevent recurrence.

During the year, the reconfiguration of the Centre Runway and associated works at the HKIA was successfully completed, marking the transition from the Interim Two-runway System (I-2RS) to 3RS operations on November 28, 2024. The transition required meticulous preparations to ensure operational safety and efficiency. In this connection, the division constantly provided regulatory advice on the extensive airfield works carried out by the AAHK. Before the aerodrome licence covering the operations of the reconfigured Centre Runway and its associated taxiway system was granted by the CAD, the division conducted comprehensive assessments to the entire 3RS to ensure all the regulatory requirements have been fulfilled.

In parallel, the AAHK continued to undertake several large-scale airfield maintenance projects throughout the year. Amongst others, the three-phase programme of taxiway pavement resurfacing works, which started in October 2019, saw Phases 1 and 2 completed in August 2021 and December 2023 respectively, while Phase 3 is targeted to conclude by the first quarter of 2026. Additionally, to enhance the durability of aerodrome ground lights, the AAHK continued to replace conventional lights with LED lights. The first phase of the replacement works was completed in November 2024, with the remaining works scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2027.

In view of the characteristics of aircraft operating at the HKIA, the AAHK introduced a number of initiatives to enhance operational efficiency during the year. In January 2025, the Multiple Aircraft Ramp System was officially commissioned at remote parking stands D311 to D319 of the Terminal 1 Midfield (T1M) Concourse Apron and parking stands L434 and L435 of the West Cargo Apron. The system enables the conversion of 11 Code E/F stands into a maximum of 18 Code C aircraft parking positions. Besides, to cater for air operators' latest cargo aircraft fleet deployment, parking stands X1 to X6 of the Cargo Apron were reconfigured to accommodate the Airbus A330 freighter, with phased operations commencing since March 2025.

Looking ahead, the division will continue to collaborate closely with the AAHK, providing timely regulatory advice on ongoing airfield expansion and enhancement works to ensure their compliance with the relevant Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) set forth by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and aerodrome licensing requirements.

Throughout the year, the AAHK conducted a number of drills and exercises to test the emergency response procedures and enhance co-ordination between the aerodrome operator and relevant responding parties in the event of aircraft accidents. The division actively participated in the planning meetings, provided regulatory advice to the AAHK and responding parties, and conducted inspections on these drills and exercises with an aim to further enhance the emergency procedures and responses. To ensure the readiness of emergency response under 3RS operations, a full-scale aircraft crash exercise was held on October 15, 2024. The exercise simulated a Boeing 777-300 aircraft with 120 people on board aborting takeoff while departing from the Centre Runway, resulting in an engine fire after the aircraft crashed onto the runway. This exercise enabled the AAHK, relevant government departments and the participating airline to familiarise themselves with the emergency response procedures for handling aircraft accidents.

To facilitate the operation of the home-developed C919 aircraft at the HKIA, a number of parking stands have been reconfigured. As of now, 14 stands are able to accommodate the C919 aircraft. The AAHK co-ordinated with ground handling agents to conduct trial ground operations for the C919 aircraft, including the use of aircraft loading bridges and ground services equipment. The division conducted on-site inspections during these operational trials to ensure that both the AAHK and ground handling agents delivered safe and efficient ground support services for the C919 aircraft.

To support the development of the HKIA into a smart airport, the division closely liaised with the AAHK in formulating comprehensive testing, trial and implementation programmes of technological applications for airport operations. During the year, operations of the Autonomous Staff Shuttle Bus and Autonomous Electric Tractors have been further expanded to support airport operations. Remote marshalling operations have also been extended to Terminal 1 West Apron, South Apron, and North Apron in phases since October 2024. In addition, the Remote-Controlled Aircraft Pushback Tractors have been deployed at the eastern side of T1M Concourse parking stands for pushback operations of narrow-bodied aircraft since November 2024. The division surveyed each process of the operations of the above initiatives and provided regulatory advice at various stages of their implementation to support HKIA's development into a smart airport and enhancement of operational efficiency while maintaining a high level of safety.

The division also continued to closely oversee the implementation of AAHK's safety management system. In preparation for the commencement of 3RS operations at the HKIA in November 2024, the AAHK, with regulatory advice from the division, had conducted prior joint risk assessments with various airport stakeholders. This allowed potential safety hazards arising from the major change to the aerodrome environment to be effectively identified and managed. Besides, the AAHK also organised a variety of safety awareness workshops and safety promotion activities during the year to continue fostering a positive safety culture within the airport community.

Safety Regulation

Heliport Operations and Development

The APSD is responsible for monitoring the safety of heliport operations and provide regulatory advice on the planning and design of heliports in Hong Kong. The division had also been co-ordinating with stakeholders with an aim to facilitate the development of cross-boundary helicopter services in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The division, together with its Policy Bureau, had been liaising with Mainland counterparts to take forward the development of cross-boundary commercial helicopter services with a view to expanding such services between Hong Kong and other cities in the GBA.

During the year, the division also co-ordinated with AAHK to review and optimise designated helicopter parking locations at the HKIA to enhance its operational capacity for helicopter services.

Control of Obstructions

Airport Height Restrictions (AHR) are established to protect aircraft flight paths and radio navigational aids from being obstructed. The division assessed and provided regulatory advice on various building and development projects and feasibility studies to ensure their observance of the AHR requirements and other applicable aviation safety requirements. The major development projects and studies assessed during the year included the expansion of the Terminal 2 (T2), the T2 Concourse, the Airport City development and its associated projects including the SKYCITY developments and the automated car parks located at the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge. Regarding the AAHK's project to expand the HKIA into a 3RS, the division provided regulatory advice on the AHR requirements and the associated Marine Exclusion Zones (MEZs) for an expanded airport system in order to safeguard aviation safety of the flight paths.

To support the construction works to expand the HKIA into a 3RS, a large number of machinery and working vessels were deployed by contractors to work within or in close proximity to the HKIA. The division enforced the requirement for the AAHK, its project consultants and contractors to utilise the machinery/vessel height monitoring system in checking the highest altitude of machinery/vessels deployed at the works sites at the HKIA and nearby waters, thereby enhancing the contractor's observance of the AHR requirements. This arrangement was particularly important for the division's consideration of applications for temporary AHR exemption involving tall machinery and high air draft vessels. The division maintained a close watch on the contractor's compliance with the AHR requirements and would require the contractor to submit and implement corresponding improvement measures as and when necessary. The division also participated in various meetings with the AAHK's project consultants and contractors, and offered regulatory advice from time to time to ensure that the construction methods including the choice of construction plants would fully comply with the AHR requirements.

This year, the division issued 162 temporary AHR exemptions for construction works in the city and vessel operations in the vicinity of the Airport Island. Of these exemptions, 130 were associated with reclamation and land-based works for the expansion of the HKIA into a 3RS, while the remaining 32 were issued for other works projects or one-off operations.

With considerable assistance from the Marine Department (MD), the division continued to ensure the integrity of the MEZs established in the vicinity of the Airport Island to safeguard the operation of aircraft and radio navigational aids. During the year, eight prosecutions for illegal entry into the MEZs were instituted by the MD.

Prohibition of Lights Endangering Aircraft Operations

To safeguard aviation safety from being compromised, the division kept overseeing and giving regulatory advice on the use of lasers, search lights and firework displays at different shows such as "A Symphony of Lights" as well as other lighting displays on building facades, especially illuminated advertisement signs.

General Aviation Activities

The division is responsible for monitoring the safety of recreational aviation activities, including paragliding, kite-flying and non-power-driven model aircraft operations, to ensure that these activities are conducted in adherence to applicable aviation safety regulations and do not affect civil aircraft operations.

Carriage of Dangerous Goods

The Dangerous Goods Office (DGO) of the APSD regulates the transport of dangerous goods by air based on ICAO and local legal requirements. The DGO established a dangerous goods permission system whereby an airline that satisfies all pertinent safety requirements will be granted a permission to carry dangerous goods to, from or over Hong Kong. During the year, nine new and 85 renewal applications for dangerous goods permissions were processed. At the end of March 2025, 147 airlines were granted permissions. The office also approved 47 organisations for conducting training programmes on dangerous goods for airlines, aviation security service providers, air cargo terminals, freight forwarders and shippers. The DGO conducted regular and ad-hoc inspections of airlines, air cargo terminals, freight forwarders, shippers and training organisations to ascertain their compliance with the safety requirements for air transport of dangerous goods. For any non-compliance identified during inspections, the concerned entities were required to submit and implement corrective action plans to the CAD's satisfaction to prevent recurrence.

Promulgation of Safety Requirements

To enhance the awareness among the industry and the public of the safety requirements for air transport of dangerous goods, the DGO sustained its efforts to promulgate the safety requirements through various means. During the year, the DGO published circulars and posters, reviewed and updated the Department's website, promoted safety requirements on air transport of dangerous goods when replying enquiries, and constantly reminded the industry to abide by the relevant safety requirements. In addition, the DGO issued two advisory circulars to the airlines and air cargo industry during the year concerning dangerous goods carried by passengers, and safe handling and transport of lithium battery consignments.

Legislation

To align the two sets of relevant local legislation with the latest requirements of ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, the DGO initiated the related legislative amendment process during the year with the support of the air cargo industry. The legislative amendments, which primarily include updates to some technical requirements for the classification, packing, marking and labelling of certain dangerous goods for carriage by air, are targeted to take effect on July 18, 2025.

Dangerous Goods Incidents

The incidents that occurred in the year were mainly related to undeclared dangerous goods in air cargo. The DGO conducted investigations into all these incidents to prevent recurrence. The CAD has also been taking prosecution actions against the entities concerned that were found contravening the dangerous goods legislation. In close co-operation with the air cargo industry, enhanced control, surveillance and inspection measures for the transport of dangerous goods by air were implemented and regulatory efforts to manage undeclared and misdeclared dangerous goods occurrences were stepped up. In addition, useful information related to incidents was disseminated to the air cargo industry in Hong Kong and other aviation authorities to better manage the potential risks on aviation safety.

Aviation Security

Security Oversight of Operators at HKIA and HKIA's Off-airport Facilities

To ensure compliance with the requirements of the Hong Kong Aviation Security Programme, the APSD conducted a series of security oversight activities throughout the year. Central to our efforts are security audits and inspections conducted on operators at the HKIA and its off-airport passenger, baggage and cargo processing facilities, including the AAHK, tenant restricted area operators, aircraft operators, and aircraft catering supplies and stores operators, etc.

HKIA Developments

During the year, the division processed eight proposals for restricted area designations at the HKIA under the Aviation Security Ordinance to reflect the required changes in the boundaries of the restricted areas arising from the latest developments in the HKIA, including those related to the 3RS. Before the changes became effective, the division conducted on-site assessments to confirm that adequate security control measures were in place to protect the designated restricted areas. The division also worked with the AAHK on 3RS-related and other airport development projects to ensure their compliance with the relevant aviation security requirements.

To further enhance the security screening capacity and efficiency at the HKIA, the AAHK commenced a major upgrade of the Passenger Security Screening System (PSSS) and the Hold Baggage Screening System (HBSS). The division provided regulatory advice to the AAHK during the planning and implementation stages, and conducted regular on-site inspections to ensure that the newly procured equipment met the relevant aviation security requirements. The division also worked closely with the AAHK to oversee the arrangements at different phases of the upgrade, ensuring a smooth commissioning of the new systems and a seamless operation of all security screening channels throughout the project.

Intermodal Passengers and Cargo Development in Greater Bay Area (GBA)

To strengthen the HKIA's status as an international air cargo hub, the AAHK continued to develop its pilot scheme for the Hong Kong International Airport Dongguan Logistics Park (HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park) and an airside intermodal cargo pier at the HKIA. Under the scheme, export air cargo from the Mainland can be security-screened, palletised and accepted for shipment at the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park. The cargo accepted at the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park can then be seamlessly transported by vessels to the airside intermodal cargo pier at the HKIA in a secure manner that complies with Hong Kong's air cargo security requirements for direct transfer onto departure flights without the need for repeated security screening procedures in Hong Kong. The AAHK launched a pilot scheme in end-2021 utilising existing facilities at the HKIA. Its operation has been smooth so far. To further develop the sea-air intermodal cargo transshipment, the AAHK will construct a permanent facility for the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park. The first stage of the Phase 1 development is expected to be completed by end-2025. The AAHK will commence a preliminary study of the development plan for the permanent facilities of the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park Phase 2 in 2025.

Apart from the development of the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park and the airside intermodal cargo pier at the HKIA, the SkyPier Terminal (SPT) at HKIA provides ferry and bonded bus services for the transfer passengers travelling to and from other cities in the GBA. Transfer passengers from the Mainland and Macao could check in their baggage and obtain their boarding passes at airline counters located at the piers or ports in the Mainland or Macao before taking a ferry or bonded bus to SPT. After arriving at SPT, they may take the HKIA Automated People Mover and proceed to the boarding gates for their departure flights. Baggage checked in at piers or ports in the Mainland or Macao could also be delivered to the flight destination directly.

The division will continue to closely liaise with the AAHK and provide regulatory advice on the intermodal passenger and cargo development in the GBA to ensure their compliance with Hong Kong's aviation security requirements.

Air Cargo Security

Under the Regulated Agent Regime (RAR), a cargo agent registered as a Regulated Agent (RA) with the CAD is required to provide security control measures on consignments of air cargo. As at March 31, 2025, there were over 1 400 RAs registered with the CAD. The division continued to oversee the compliance of the RAs with the requirements of RAR through regular inspections, and required them to submit and implement corresponding corrective action plans in case of non-compliance.

During the year, the division continued to implement the Regulated Air Cargo Screening Facility (RACSF) Scheme to facilitate air cargo screening at off-airport locations. This measure not only increases Hong Kong's overall screening capacity for export air cargo, but also enhances air cargo security through achieving 100% security screening for export air cargo. As at March 31, 2025, there were about 150 RACSFs registered with the CAD.

Facilitation

Through the Hong Kong Air Transport Facilitation Committee, the division continued to oversee the implementation of the SARPs of ICAO Annex 9 at the HKIA and co-ordinate with senior management of relevant government departments, agencies and other organisations on facilitation activities at a strategic level. The committee convened in September 2024 to discuss the post-pandemic recovery of air transport services and the latest air traffic trend, as well as the facilitation of the development of major infrastructure projects such as the 3RS and the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park. These projects are crucial for enhancing the operational efficiency and competitiveness of the HKIA.

To further enhance passenger experience by providing a carefree departure journey at the HKIA, the division continued to actively co-ordinate with the AAHK to promote the "Flight Token" service. This biometric identification system enables passengers to complete the entire departure process without having to produce their boarding passes and travel documents repeatedly when passing through various checkpoints at the HKIA. During the year, the AAHK introduced the Smartphone Express Bag Drop Service, which is an extension of the "Flight Token" biometric identification system. The service enables passengers to check-in online and scan their travel documents with their smartphones before heading to the airport. Upon arrival at the HKIA, passengers can proceed directly to the express bag drop counters, where they can complete the bag drop process by themselves using their smartphones. This eliminates the need to approach traditional airline counters or Smart Check-in Kiosks, further simplifying the departure procedures. The division will continue to closely liaise with the AAHK and provide regulatory advice from an aviation security perspective.

Besides, to facilitate crew members of Hong Kong registered aircraft operators in discharging their flight duties, the division issued Crew Member Certificates (CMCs) in accordance with ICAO Annex 9. With the continuous recovery of air transport services, the number of newly issued CMCs has increased significantly. During the year, 8 000 new CMCs were issued.

External Exchanges

To continuously enhance the airport safety and aviation security of Hong Kong, the APSD maintained close communication with other civil aviation authorities and organisations to share information on best practices of airport safety and aviation security measures. Besides, the division participated in international and Asia-Pacific regional meetings and programmes, including the ICAO Cooperative Aviation Security Programme – Asia Pacific and the Regional Aviation Security Coordination Forum – Asia and Pacific Regions, and participated, as part of the Chinese delegation, in the ICAO panel meetings to keep abreast of the latest development of measures related to airport safety and aviation security. Such meetings included: