Runway could cross boundary
The third runway proposed for the airport at Chek Lap Kok could intrude into mainland waters, as planners try to avoid contaminated seabed mud pits and protect nearby residents from noise.
Central government approval would be needed for this option to proceed but a government source said the intrusion was minor and should not present a great problem.
At least three options for the runway were shown to Airport Authority board members after the authority commissioned consultants in July to study the feasibility of such a plan.
One would take in some of the 12 mud pits north of Chek Lap Kok, used since 1992 to dispose of contaminated mud dredged for large projects and maintenance of navigation channels, one of which is still in use.
The option that appears most feasible traverses sea borders but stays clear of the mud pits and residential developments, a board member and government source said.
'A runway built on contaminated mud might not be feasible,' the source said, adding that flight paths in the other two options could trigger more complaints from residents affected by noise pollution.
Complaints had been lodged by residents in Tuen Mun, Ma Wan, Sha Tin and the south of Hong Kong Island, the source said.
Last year, the Civil Aviation Department received more than 400 complaints.
Opting for the wrong flight path would worsen pollution from aircraft, the source said.
For the other option, Hong Kong would have to demonstrate to the central government that the adjustment of the marine border was a minor one, the source said.
A board member who declined to be named said the boundary could be revised.
'The reclamation issue is the real problem for building the third runway,' the board member said.
Reports have said that more than 20 hectares of reclaimed land would be needed for a third runway of a similar size to the existing two.
Transport expert Hung Wing-tat said a third runway might not be necessary with the launch of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Airports Link last month, a service that enables passengers at airports in both cities to check in and obtain boarding passes for connecting flights at the other.
'Hong Kong can just cater for international flights while Shenzhen caters for domestic flights. Hong Kong will still benefit from the increasing demand from visitors for transit,' Professor Hung said.
