The New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office (Napco) expects the 10 core projects associated with Chek Lap Kok to be completed within the projected US$20.1 billion budget. Napco director Billy Lam Chung-lun told the World Economic Development Congress Napco was committed to the target opening of the airport in April next year, although he stopped short of giving guarantees on the final date. He said there continued to be many challenges, such as the completion of the cargo terminal and of transport arrangements, before the airport could open. Eight of the 10 core projects being overseen by Napco have been completed, including expressways, the Western Harbour tunnel project, land reclamation and the Tung Chung new town development. Only the airport itself and the direct railway link to Chek Lap Kok remain to be completed, although concerns over these two projects have dominated speculation about when the facility will ultimately open. The likelihood the 10 projects will now be completed for less than $20.1 billion is a boost to Napco, which had already reduced the projected budget for the project from an initial $21 billion projected in 1992-93. The figure does not include the second runway, which is expected to cost an additional $600 million.
