Public opinion turns against third runway, poll shows
Two out of three poll respondents first want better use of existing strips, a sharp change from the 73pc who backed expansion in 2011 survey
The planned HK$141.5 billion third runway at Chek Lap Kok airport is facing strong opposition, according to a survey commissioned this month by green groups that arrived at very different findings from a government study held four years ago.
Two-thirds of Hongkongers polled now want the Airport Authority to focus on improving the operations of its two runways before considering building a third, the latest survey shows.
Back in 2011, the authority found in its study that 73 per cent of residents supported having a third runway. A green campaigner said that survey took into account views collected from the logistics industry, which would favour a new airstrip.
Plans for the new runway are mired in criticism, not least because of its multibillion-dollar budget. But the authority's chief executive, Fred Lam Tin-fuk, defended the high cost, saying the project was more than just an additional runway.
The Executive Council approved the project last week in an attempt to boost the city's competitiveness.
However, public opinion is in favour of the authority enhancing the existing twin-runway system before contemplating a third airstrip, based on the latest Baptist University poll, which surveyed 617 people from March 10 to 18. Researchers found 68 per cent agreed or strongly agreed with this stance, with 31 per cent disagreeing or strongly disagreeing with it.