DHL WORLDWIDE Express is tightening its business operations to speed up cargo processing at Kai Tak Airport, according to Lee Wai-tong, the company's sales and marketing director.
DHL and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) were working to make processing faster at Kai Tak to cope with air-cargo handling that was near saturation point.
Cargo throughput at Kai Tak was expected to grow between 12 and 13 per cent this year to 1.4 million tonnes. The airport's capacity is 1.6 million tonnes.
Handling may reach saturation next year now that Chek Lap Kok's expected completion has been pushed back to 1998 and cargo throughput is growing at 11 per cent annually.
However, Anthony Charter, HACTL's managing director, said air cargo integrators, freight forwarders and shippers were co-operating with HACTL and the airport would be able to cope until 1998.
HACTL's pre-arrival customs clearance service, which was introduced in January, was available to all express freight carriers free of charge, Mr Charter said.