Hong Kong airport operates smoothly through millennium rollover

(HONG KONG, 1 January 2000) -- Operations at Hong Kong International Airport remained normal during the transition into the year 2000.

AA Acting Airport Management Director Howard Eng said all operational systems were functioning normally at 0130 hrs.

"The AA and our business partners began conducting 'health' checks on airport systems the second we rolled over to the new millennium," Mr Eng said. "Although it will take us at least several hours to complete the checks, initial responses indicate that the systems were performing well," he said.

From 2200 hrs (31 Dec 1999) to 0130 hrs (1 January 2000) HKIA has handled seven arriving and nine departing flights, all without incident.

The last departure before the Y2K changeover was Cathay Pacific passenger flight CX 171, which left Hong Kong at 2307 hrs for Perth, Australia. The last arrival before midnight was Lufthansa cargo flight LH8468 from Frankfurt, which landed at 2256 hrs.

The first departure for the new millennium was Cathay Pacific flight CX251 for London/Heathrow at 0031 hrs. The first arrival was cargo flight BA 3571 from London/Stansted, which landed at 0059 hrs.

Mr Eng said the AA activated its Y2K Command and Control Centre at 1800 hrs on New Year's Eve to oversee airport operations during the rollover and to work closely with the Civil Aviation Department, the airlines and business partners to ensure a smooth transition.

"During the year, we have held five major drills to help us prepare for the actual changeover," Mr Eng said. "Through various simulations, we have made provision for all foreseeable contingencies. But we cannot dismiss the remote chance that we could be affected by external sources beyond our control."

Mr Eng advised passengers to contact their airlines for the latest flight information before they leave for the airport.

Ref. PR-480