New Hong Kong airport chief Jack So vows to win public support for controversial third runway
Third runway vital for Hong Kong, says Jack So, as he vows to get the public on his side
Incoming Airport Authority chairman Jack So Chak-kwong has vowed to win public support for the controversial HK$141.5 billion third runway, while warning that Hong Kong will lose its status as an air transport hub if it is not built.
So, 70, will leave the Trade Development Council at the end of the month after almost eight years as chairman.
He admitted yesterday there were challenges surrounding the runway project, but these were not reasons to abandon it.
"I don't understand why people are objecting to the building of the third runway. They talk about the environmental impact and they talk about the flight paths. They talk about the [cost of] HK$140 billion, how do you find the money and is it too much," he said in interview with the South China Morning Post.
"All these are challenges that we have to overcome. But it does not mean these are reasons why we have to abandon the project."
The Executive Council approved the runway in March, with work starting as early as next year despite unresolved issues about regional airspace.
So recalled facing a similar challenge when he became chairman and chief executive of the MTR Corporation in 1995.