Pilots again rate Kai Tak as dangerous

Pilots from around the world have again awarded Kai Tak airport their worst rating ahead of the move to Chek Lap Kok.

It was rated a 'black star' because of the short distance between the runway and parallel taxiway by the International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations.

The runway and taxiway - which are 111 metres apart at centre lines, compared with the international recommendation of 120 metres - were considered dangerous during crosswinds.

However, the Civil Aviation Department, operating from the control tower, ensures there is only one plane on the runway or taxiway during bad weather.

The 14 other airports also considered 'critically deficient' included San Francisco, Nice, Wellington, Fornebu airport in Oslo, Suva, Buenos Aires, Rio Negro and San Andres in Colombia, Maiquetia in Venezuela and Kabul in Afghanistan.