Now that the Woo Commission has produced its conclusions on the disastrous opening of Hong Kong International Airport, naming four executives as the main cause of the chaos, it is time to look again at the end-of-contract $2.5 million bonus which was paid to Dr Hank Townsend on his departure.
Many critics felt then that any gratuities over and above the generous salaries paid to the airport chief should have been contingent on his handing over a fully operational facility, with allowance made for one or two minor teething troubles. No such provision was made in the contract.
Therefore in December, when Dr Townsend departed for the United States, airily advising the waiting press that 'you've got a great airport, enjoy it', he took with him the contractual gratuity which, had it been tied to performance, would almost certainly never have been paid. Eighteen months on, Hong Kong does indeed have an airport at Chek Lap Kok that has won the praise of the world's travel industry. But it will take it a long time to live down the disastrous publicity which the debacle of the opening brought.
If Dr Townsend and members of his team had been better organised, and more willing to face up to their inadequacies, the airport could have opened on a high note, a little later, but certainly without the chaos of the July launch.
It was Dr Townsend's refusal to apologise which added anger to the embarrassment. He left before the commission concluded its report, and if he has now read it, he may at last be prepared to acknowledge his own responsibility for the mess.
The decent thing would be for him to repay the money voluntarily. But if he will not do so, he should be asked for its return in the name of the SAR taxpayer.
