Airport Authority, MTR Corp conduct joint trial at new airport

(HONG KONG, 14 June 1998) -- The Airport Authority (AA) and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTR Corp) today conducted a joint trial of the new Hong Kong International Airport's airfield, Passenger Terminal and airport railway links.

Today's trial, the last and largest to be conducted at the new airport, involved some 15,000 people -- 12,000 volunteer "passengers" and "meeters and greeters" and 3,000 airport staff -- who travelled to the new airport on various transport modes including for the first time the MTR's Airport Express and Tung Chung Line rail links, franchised bus routes, tour coaches, hotel limousines, and private cars.

Today's trial simulated many of the new airport's first-day operations scheduled for 6 July, and included landings without passengers by four aircraft: one by Cathay Pacific, two by Hong Kong Dragon Airlines (Dragonair), and one by Federal Express (Fedex). A total of 35 airlines participated in the trial.

The volunteers were selected from the AA, Government departments, airport business partners, and travel and tourism groups. Also participating or acting as observers were members of the Airport Consultative Committee, senior Government officials and special interest groups.

The Ground Transportation Centre (GTC) was also used in today's trial. The integrated centre is the focal point for all surface transportation to and from the new airport. Occupying an area of 55,000 sqm, the structure houses the Airport Express station, taxi ranks, and stations for franchised bus, tour coaches, hotel courtesy buses and limousines. Each mode of transport has a completely segregated passenger handling facility with individual links to the Passenger Terminal.

Directly adjacent to the passenger terminal building, the GTC has four levels to handle the heavy passenger traffic expected at Hong Kong International Airport. Starting at the highest level:

Highest level: Departures kerb (Cheong Hong Road)

Due to a simple routing design, buses, taxis and private cars will be able to drive up an elevated ramp to drop off departing passengers at the front door of the passenger terminal.

From here, passengers enter the Passenger Terminal's Check-in Hall via walkways across the magnificent atrium, without any level changes. There are also designated bays along the kerb for the disabled.

Second level: Airport Express Departures level platform

Departing passengers who travel by the Airport Express from Central Hong Kong or Kowloon will cross one of three link bridges through an atrium with glazed roofs to the Passenger Terminal Check-in Hall.

First level: Airport Express Arrivals level platform

Arriving passengers travelling to the city on the Airport Express will enter the GTC by one of two link bridges from the Passenger Terminal Meeters and Greeters Hall.

Ground level: Arrivals ground level transport facilities and service roads

This area houses road transport to most parts of Hong Kong. Clearly marked signs show the way to taxis, buses, coaches and hotel shuttles and limousines. Private car pick-up facilities for arriving passengers are provided in the adjacent car parks.

Franchise Bus Station

There are 17 pick-up bays and a staging area, which can accommodate 16 buses, to be shared by three franchise bus companies operating at the new airport -- Long Win, Citybus and New Lantao Bus Company.

Tour Coach Station

There are 18 pick-up bays and 24 short-term staging bays. Additional staging spaces are provided at Staging Area II.

Travel Industry Vehicle Pick-up Areas

The pick-up kerb can accommodate 10-12 vehicles. Additional parking spaces are also available in Staging Area II for limousines and min-buses. The Hong Kong Hotels Association and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong will each operate a kiosk at the limousine waiting lounge.

Taxi Station

There are four pick-up lanes -- three lanes for urban (red) taxis, and one for the New Territories (green) and Lantau (blue) taxis. Each pick-up lane has six bays. The New Territories taxis will occupy four bays and Lantau taxis two bays for their dedicated use. Also there are 14 lanes allocated for taxis in the staging area with a capacity of 530 vehicles.

The HK$1.76 billion (US$225.7 million) GTC construction contract was the fifth largest at the new airport, and was awarded to Nishimatsu Construction Company Ltd.

Ref. PR-352