THE Civil Aviation Department is preparing for more night flights at Hong Kong's congested Kai Tak airport this winter as demand from airlines threatens to outstrip the airport's capacity.
The possibility of more flights, perhaps breaking the midnight to 6.30 am curfew, has raised concerns about increased noise nuisance.
But the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which has asked for night-flight restrictions to be relaxed, and the tourism industry have warned that Hong Kong will suffer economically if more flights are not allowed.
The airport is at full capacity for all but a few hours between 6.30 am and 9 pm, with planes taking off and landing every two minutes. Flights are cut by about a third between 9 pm and midnight, and none are scheduled during the curfew, although aircraft are allowed to land and take-off in emergencies.
The restrictions are designed to protect Kowloon City and Eastern District residents who live below the airport's two approaches.
A department spokesman said IATA had made an ''informal'' request last month for more night flights, but said the department would not make a move until IATA provided figures to support the request.