AN additional runway exit will be built on the heavily-congested Kai Tak airport to help boost the hourly aircraft movements before the new airport is scheduled for operation in 1997.
Upon the completion next September of the $11.5 million runway exit, it is expected that at least one more flight could be accommodated per hour.
Assistant Director of Civil Aviation Peter Bodiley told yesterday's Legislative Council public works sub-committee meeting that the ultimate increase in aircraft movement should be more than one flight per hour.
'We've done quite a few simulation models which indicate that the improvements, on a conservative basis, would be about 12 seconds we save. We think it's quite conservative so we are hoping for a little bit more than that,' said Mr Bodiley.
The Civil Aviation Department pointed out that the two existing runway exits located at the seaward end of the entire runway were too far apart and thus obstructed an efficient use of the runway.
The additional flights will only be scheduled from 7 am to 9 am. The Government has consulted district board members from several areas but no objection has been voiced.
