'We have just received the report and the board has set up a special working group to examine its contents to ensure that we take a very positive attitude in following up on the observations, suggestions, findings and recommendations in it,' he said.

'It's a bit too early for me to comment or pre-empt what the working group will say or decide but appropriate actions will be taken.' Several key players, including some who took blame in the report, are now gone.

Former chief executive Hank Townsend resigned late last year when his contract expired. Five other directors have either left or are leaving.

Another of those criticised, Chern Heed, is leaving at the end of February.

The future plans of Kiron Chatterjee, who heads the Information Technology Department, are not clear.

Authority chairman Wong Po-yan said: 'We apologise again. We are committed to continuously improving the standard or services and facilities so that Hong Kong people can have an airport of which they can be proud.'