Airport Authority conducts final major drill for Year 2000 Rollover

(HONG KONG, 4 December 1999) - The Airport Authority (AA) last night conducted an airport-wide Y2K contingency rehearsal, the final major exercise ahead of the Year 2000 rollover at Hong Kong International Airport.

The main objective of the drill was to test procedures and communications planned by each operator at the airport at New Year.

As in previous Y2K exercises, the Airport Emergency Centre inside the Passenger Terminal was activated as the Y2K Command and Control Centre. The drill schedule comprised checks involving a simulation of cargo facilities and ramp operations; testing of communications equipment; and "health" checks of the many computer and communications systems in place at the airport.

Acting Airport Management Director Mr Howard Eng said the exercise proved useful. "This drill, as with the previous exercise, was carried out on Friday night-Saturday morning, the same days which will occur over the millennium transition. Our planning throughout the year has been very thorough, and all parties involved have worked very closely to ensure that we can meet foreseeable contingencies as effectively as possible."

The AA has had the full cooperation of business partners to make the test as close to the real situation as possible. Both cargo terminal operators, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) and Asia Airfreight Terminal Co Ltd (AAT) took part, as did all ramp handlers, aircraft refueling companies, airline handling agents and line maintenance companies such as Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co Ltd (HAECO).

The AA has conducted four airport-wide drills since September making this the fifth and final major test before the actual rollover. Presently, AA Y2K contingency planning staff are analysing results to ascertain what further fine tuning, if any, is necessary.

"We have now looked at every area of actual airport operations, and have even simulated hypothetical situations such as a multi-systems failure. We are cautiously optimistic that we have prepared for any foreseeable contingencies," Mr Eng said.

"However, there remains the possibility of external systems outside of our control affecting airport operations which may result in a lower standard of service," he added.

Ref. PR-472