An inaugural flight touching down at Chek Lap Kok with Vice-Premier Zhu Rongji aboard is being proposed as the centrepiece of the new airport's opening ceremony.
The VIP flight, most likely from Beijing, would take place on July 1 - five days before operations start - under a plan being circulated by members of the influential Airport Authority board.
The board is supporting plans to mark the first anniversary of the SAR's foundation with a huge ceremony at the $155 billion airport site.
Proposals for the celebrations included open days for the public to examine the runways and terminal buildings, an exhibition of vintage and modern aircraft and a laser and fireworks spectacular, board member Ho Sai-chu said.
Mr Zhu, the economic supremo expected to be elevated to prime minister next month, could be aboard an aircraft to land during the celebrations, he said.
'We hope it is either the premier or somebody [from Beijing] who will fly in using the airport to mark the opening,' Mr Ho said.
The PLA is unlikely to be invited to stage a flyover. 'I think we will keep it to a civil sort of thing,' he said.
