The new airport chief recommended a June opening despite knowing more than a year ago Chek Lap Kok might not be 'efficient' enough by then, an inquiry heard yesterday.
Billy Lam Chung-lun, who started his duties as acting Airport Authority chief executive by giving evidence yesterday, said it was better to push ahead with the date despite knowing the airport might have a bumpy start.
He told the Commission of Inquiry on the New Airport that apathy could have set in if a decision to delay the opening was announced, which would have caused work to fall even further behind.
Under cross-examination by Benjamin Yu SC for the commission, Mr Lam said he and his former office had recommended in November last year three opening dates to senior government officials - April, May and June.
Mr Lam was director of the New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office at the time, before being seconded to the authority as deputy chief executive.
He told the commission he was aware then that work was falling behind and could affect the suggested June opening.