AA welcomes announcement of opening date for new airport

(HONG KONG, 13 January 1998) -- The Airport Authority (AA) today welcomed the Government's announcement that the new airport at Chek Lap Kok would commence commercial operations on 6 July 1998.

"We welcome the Government's decision," an AA spokesman said. "Since its establishment in 1990, the Authority's efforts have been focused on completing this massive project on time and within budget. We now have a firm date on which the new airport will open.

"We also fully appreciate the fact that, in reaching its decision, the Government has taken into account the need for a fully functional and integrated land transport system to serve this world-class airport. We, for our part, will ensure that the airport is ready by April as originally scheduled and opens on time and within budget; that costs are kept down; and that the airport operates smoothly and efficiently, in a prudent commercial manner, and providing standards that meet Hong Kong's needs as a centre of international and regional civil aviation.

"The opening of the new Hong Kong International Airport for business on 6 July will be a great event for the AA and the aviation community. We will maintain our greatest efforts to meet these targets."

Ref. PR-322