The head of the Airport Authority yesterday defended the body against claims that it was negligent in the handling of flight chaos at Chek Lap Kok triggered by Typhoon Utor - but admitted there was room for improvement.
David Pang, the authority's chief executive, blamed the scale of the disruption, in which thousands of passengers were stranded at the airport due to the cancellation of flights, on the unusually long time it took Utor to dissipate after reaching land.
He was addressing legislators at an economic panel meeting to explain the authority's handling of the drama. From 10pm on July 6 to 3am on July 7, all landings and take-offs were cancelled.
He also revealed that a plane had a 10cm by 10cm hole torn in it when it was blown into a disembarking bridge. He said the authority would investigate the incident.
At the peak of the chaos, 17,000 passengers were stranded at the airport. Dr Pang, who was asked if the authority had been negligent, told the panel it had accomplished the most important goal of 'zero injuries' .
'Of course, we are not perfect. But we did all emergency measures which we should do,' said Dr Pang. He was appointed to the job in January and has been criticised for his lack of experience in managing airports.
Emily Lau Wai-hing, of The Frontier, criticised the airport chaos as shameful to Hong Kong.
