Airport Authority Appoints New CEO

(HONG KONG, 14 December 2006) - The Board of Airport Authority Hong Kong today announced the appointment of Stanley Hui Hon-chung as Chief Executive Officer. The appointment, which was unanimously endorsed by the Board and approved by the Chief Executive of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is effective 1 February 2007.  Mr Hui succeeds Dr David J Pang, who has been CEO since January 2001.

Commenting on the appointment, Airport Authority Chairman Dr Victor Fung Kwok-king said, "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Dr Pang for his invaluable contributions to Hong Kong International Airport's growth and success. Under Dr Pang's leadership, we have established a presence in the Chinese Mainland and have been regularly recognised as the world's best airport in passenger surveys and by industry associations and trade publications. Passenger and cargo throughput grew significantly and our financial performance continued to improve.

"We are very pleased that Mr Hui is joining us at this important stage in our development, as we enhance our role as a regional aviation hub and an essential gateway of the Mainland while ensuring that we are ready to meet new challenges and opportunities."

Mr Hui will be responsible for the overall operation of HKIA and its related infrastructure, and for ensuring the airport conducts its business according to prudent commercial principles, runs with maximum efficiency and complies with the strictest safety and security standards. Mr Hui will also implement HKIA's strategic plan, which focuses on maintaining the airport's competitiveness and contribution to Hong Kong's economic development.

"Mr Hui's 30-plus years of aviation experience and deep knowledge of the Chinese Mainland and the region are important assets. I am confident that under his direction, we will continue to strengthen our leadership position in airport management and aviation-related businesses and contribute to Hong Kong's long-term prosperity," concluded Dr Fung.

Mr Hui, 56, began his aviation career in 1975 when he joined Cathay Pacific Airways, where he held a range of management positions.  In 1990, He was appointed General Manager, Planning and International Affairs of Dragonair.   In 1992, he became the Chief Representative of John Swire & Sons (China) in Beijing.  From 1994 to 1997, Mr Hui was the Chief Operating Officer of AHK Air Hong Kong.  Mr Hui subsequently left Cathay Pacific in 1997 to join Dragonair as Chief Executive Officer, a post that he held for over nine years until August 2006.  He is currently a Director of China National Aviation Corporation (Group). 

Stanley Hui Hon-chung, JP Chief Executive Officer Airport Authority Hong Kong (Effective 1 February 2007)

Overview With over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry, Stanley Hui (許漢忠) joins the Airport Authority from China National Aviation Corporation (Group) Ltd, where he has been a Director since September 2006.

From February 1997 to August 2006, Mr Hui was Chief Executive Officer of Dragonair.  From 1994 to 1997, he was Chief Operating Officer of AHK Air Hong Kong. From 1992 to 1994, he was the Chief Representative of John Swire & Sons (China), based in Beijing.  Between 1990 and 1992, Mr Hui was General Manager, Planning and International Affairs, at Dragonair. Mr Hui's aviation career began in 1975 at Cathay Pacific Airways, where he held a range of management positions both in Hong Kong and overseas.

Accomplishments Under Mr Hui's leadership, Dragonair grew from 10 to 38 aircraft by 2006 and in revenue terms, it had more than tripled to HK$10 billion by 2005. During this period, Dragonair was voted the best airline in China for five consecutive years in the annual Skytrax survey.  Mr Hui was instrumental in establishing Dragonair's all-cargo freighter operations and its rapid growth in a short period of time, an achievement that led the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation to award the airline the Cargo Airline of the Year in 2005. The achievement also earned Mr Hui a place in the International Air Cargo Association's Hall of Fame in April 2006. 

At AHK Air Hong Kong from 1994 to 1997, Mr Hui also managed to reorganise the airline and turned the airline from heavy losses into profitability within one year.

Mr Hui has been active in the development of air services between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland since the mid 1980s.  In preparation for the return of sovereignty of Hong Kong to China, Mr Hui participated in various air services negotiations between the Hong Kong Government and other aviation partners. He also helped position the Hong Kong airlines to take advantage of the opportunities becoming available in these new, separated aviation treaties, enhancing the role of Hong Kong as a regional and international aviation centre. 

Mr Hui also started his working relationship with the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) and the Mainland airlines in the mid 1980s while working as Manager, International Affairs at Cathay Pacific.  This relationship was further enhanced and expanded to other ministries in the Central Government while he worked as the Chief Representative of John Swire & Sons (China) from 1992 to 1994. 

In recognition of his contribution to aviation development in Hong Kong, Mr Hui was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Chinese University of Hong Kong in May 2006.

Community Service In addition to a successful aviation career, Mr Hui is active in the community. He is a member of the Hong Kong Government's Aviation Development Advisory Committee and the Immigration Department's Users' Committee. Mr Hui is also Chairman of the Vetting Committee of the Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme.  He is also a member of the Vocational Training Council.  Mr Hui was appointed a Justice of the Peace in July 2006 by the Chief Executive of the HKSAR. 

Personal Mr Hui, 56, speaks English, Cantonese and Putonghua and holds a BSc from The Chinese University of Hong Kong.  He is married with two children.

As at December 2006