Hong Kong needs ‘fourth runway’ to keep up with competition, debate hears
Aviation experts came together on Thursday for the South China Morning Post Redefining Hong Kong debate on the future of the sector
Hong Kong should start planning for a fourth airport runway or run the risk of being overtaken by competing regional hubs in an increasingly competitive global aviation market, a debate has been told.
As the city struggles to roll-out the construction of a third runway, transport lawmaker Frankie Yick Chi-ming, has told the latest South China Morning Post Redefining Hong Kong debate that the government needs to start thinking further into the future if it wants to retain its place as one of the world’s premier aviation destinations.
“We need to plan ahead. Shall we start to talk about the fourth runway?” Yick said. The debate, entitled: Is Hong Kong’s aviation hub leading or lagging the regional competition? in which leading figures tackled key issues facing the industry.
“We need to plan . It’s time to start to think and talk about the future. That’s for sure,” he added.
The call from the Liberal Party lawmaker comes as cities across the region gear up for expansion.
Singapore’s Changi Airport is planning a massive fifth terminal and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has its sights set on a fourth and fifth runway by 2025.