HK airport expansion now faces environmental assessment
After receiving government approval on its three-runway airport plan, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) is now seeking the go-ahead from environment authorities.
The AAHK yesterday submitted its project profile for the expansion of the existing facility into a three-runway system to the Director of Environmental Protection, marking the beginning of the project’s statutory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). From Monday, members of the public will have 14 day to submit written concerns on the project, after which the assessment will begin.
To facilitate stakeholders’ exchange of views on the EIA and related issues, AAHK will set up technical briefing groups with a view to addressing the potential environmental impacts arising from HKIA’s expansion. Community liaison groups inviting the participation of relevant district councillors, area committee members and other community representatives will also be established to collect feedback and suggestions.
Stanley Hui Hon-chung, Chief Executive Officer of AAHK, said; “The expansion of HKIA will enhance Hong Kong’s long-term development and overall competitiveness. The EIA study is a critical element of the planning phase to develop HKIA into a three-runway system, and we will conduct it in a highly engaging, transparent and professional manner.”