Opponents of third runway at Hong Kong airport urge study of UK-based traffic system
Method of spacing out incoming flights could solve air traffic backlogs, say concern groups
Groups opposed to a third runway at Chek Lap Kok airport have urged aviation authorities to study a new method of spacing out incoming aircraft that would allow more landings at the existing runways on windy days.
The South China Morning Post reported on Monday that Hong Kong could adopt a system called Time Based Separation (TBS), co-developed by the UK's National Air Traffic Services and based on wind speeds to cut delays and possibly allow additional flight movements.
The system takes into account wind conditions as planes make their final approach and allows them to bunch closer rather than maintaining a constant distance.
Strong headwinds cause delays and even cancellations because planes landing in the wind take longer to reach the runway even if they maintain a constant speed. The overall landing rate then drops.
Michael Mo Kwang-tai, spokesman for the Airport Development Concern Network, said since Hong Kong positioned itself as a regional transit hub, delays in arrivals were bad news for passengers.
"The transit time is sometimes tight, only 70 to 90 minutes. If the flight is delayed for 15 minutes, then you are doomed [to miss your connection]," he said, adding that the Civil Aviation Department should at the same time increase manpower and create additional landing paths.