Passenger services at new airport reaching high levels of efficiency

(HONG KONG, 24 July 1998) -- Key areas of passenger services are reaching high levels of efficiency at the new Hong Kong International Airport, with some achieving or exceeding performance targets. By 2pm today, 28,000 passengers had passed through the building (there were 87,000 passengers for the 24-hour period yesterday). Three quarters of all flights had left on time or within 15 minutes of schedule. Today's average passenger waiting time for baggage was 14 minutes. Since the first days of the new airport's operation, virtually all passengers (99.5 per cent) have been clearing Immigration within 15 minutes, compared with 95.7 per cent during the first six months of 1998 at Kai Tak. All passengers are being cleared within 30 minutes, which betters the Immigration Department's Performance Pledge to clear 92 per cent of passengers within that time. Cargo throughput continued to rise yesterday (Thursday, 23 July): a total of 4,145 tonnes was processed, compared with 3,297 tonnes on Wednesday. Of yesterday's total, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) processed 3,162 tonnes, including imports, exports, and express cargo. The throughput for the other air cargo franchisee, Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT), was 985 tonnes, including express cargo. These figures exclude Hong Kong cargo handled through Macau and Huangtian airports. The Airport Authority (AA) today reiterated its strong request to the public that sightseers should not come to the new airport at the weekend, especially on Sunday. "We again ask that they postpone purely sightseeing visits -- or try to visit during weekdays -- for the time being," said AA Corporate Development Director Clinton Leeks. Mr Leeks again asked organisers of previously arranged tour groups to contact the Airport Authority Corporate Affairs Department Liaison Unit on 2769 3119 to finalise their itineraries so as to minimise disruption to normal terminal operations. Ref. PR-378