Hong Kong International Airport Master Plan 2030

The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) Master Plan 2030 is a proposal by the Airport Authority Hong Kong in 2010. It aims to increase the runway capacity of HKIA by building a third runway as they estimated the existing runways will reach its capacity sometime between 2019 and 2022.[1] It has aroused great concerns in the society when the HKIA first published their plan. HKIA had now finished the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for constructing the third runway.

Background

According to the Airport Authority’s "Hong Kong International Airport Master Plan 2030", there were 50 million passengers in 2010 which is near the capacity of HKIA. Moreover, considering the rapid growth of China, the demand of transfer will rise continuously. In the middle term, the amount of passengers and cargo traffic of the airport will exceed the capacity in 2020. In the long term, there are 2.1 billion passengers in Pearl River Delta region where only five airports, including HKIA. HKIA is also facing the challenge of neighbor airport, like Shenzhen Baoan Airport which is planning to build the third runway. Therefore, owing to the economic profits and the competitiveness, the HKSAR plans to build the third runway. HKIA estimates that the first round project will finish in 2023.[2][3]

The project sparks a wide discussion among citizens. They have a controversy about whether its economic performance surpasses its sacrifice.

A Three-Phase Process

First stage (2012-2014*): Planning

The first stage is planning which includes Environmental Impact Assessment studies, associated design details and funding options.

Second stage (2014-2015*): Approval

The second stage is approval which includes statutory process and approval from the government, environmental permit, foreshore and seabed construction gazette and financial arrangement.[4]

Third stage (2015-2023*): Implementation

The third stage is implementation which includes detailed designs, reclamation and land formation and construction of related facilities. Finally will be the completion and operation of the third runway system.[5]

Construction Works [1][6][7]

  1. Reclaim of about 650 hectares of land to the north of the existing airport island, about 40% of which falls on an area of contaminated mud pits
  2. Construction of a new runway, a dual parallel taxiway systems and airfield infrastructure
  3. Construction of new aprons equipped with over 100 parking stands including 62 frontal and 43 remote stands
  4. Construction of a new passenger concourse with a gross floor area of around 470,000 square metres
  5. Extension of the Automated People Mover system to connect the third runway passenger concourses with Terminal 2
  6. Install a new high-speed Baggage Handling System which can transport bags at a rate up to 3 times faster than the system used today[1][6]

Estimated Cost

In 2011, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) estimated the cost of the project was approximately HK$86.2 billion (in 2010 dollars) or HK$136.2 billion (at money-of-the-day prices). [8] In 2014, AAHK estimated the cost would increase to nearly HK$150 billion. The Chief Executive Officer of AAHK, Dr Raymond Ho indicated that if the prime cost such as materials and labour salary keeps rising, the final construction cost may increase at least 20%. [9]

Environmental problems

Water hydrology

Hong Kong is situated at the mouth of the Pearl River. After the construction, the third runway will become a physical barrier, blocking the water flow from Zhu Jiang. The flow rate of seawater in the Lung Kwu Chau will thus drop.[10] Without sufficient water energy, the load will be deposited as sediment and pollutants cannot be carried away by flow, lowering the quality of water in the inner bay.

Ecology

Chinese White Dolphin (CWDs)

Firstly, the proposed reclamation of 650 hectares for the third runway will severely reduce the size of their marine habitat and limit their sphere of activities. The reclaimed area is at the heart of three CWDs hotspots: Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau, Southwest Lantau and the Brothers Islands. Therefore, their habitat will be destroyed.[11][12] Second, their lives will be disrupted during the construction. During the peak reclamation construction period, the maximum number of construction-related vessel movements will be 120 per day. The opportunity of dolphins being collided by vessels is high when both of them pass through the Lung Kwu Chau. As dolphins rely on echolocation to navigate and fish, the noise generated by the vessel movements and underwater construction interfere with their echolocation.[12]

Fish

Six fish species of conservation importance were recorded in waters within the third runway project, including: Longheaded eagle ray, Pale edged sting ray and Goatee croaker Long tooth grouper, etc.[13] The quality of their habitat will be deteriorated by reclamation and accumulation of sediment or pollutants, preventing them from survival.

Birds

Sha Chau Egretry has the largest number of Little Egret nests(56 nests) among 16 colonies in Hong Kong.[14] The construction activities, especially horizontal directional drilling, will destroy Sha Chau Egrety, thus destroying Little Egrets’ habitat.

Air pollution

A new runway will add at least 18.1 million tonnes of carbon emission per annum in Hong Kong in 2030. This is a 76% surge compared with 2008. If Hong Kong does not build the third runway, aviation emission would be 12.8 million tonnes per annum in 2030. [13]

Noise pollution

Ma Wan, Tsing Yi and Tuen Mun are likely to suffer more noise pollution once the third runway is operated. An average of 780 airplanes flew over Park Island each month, creating noise above 60 decibels in 2012 to 2013. [15] Airplane noise has reached unbearable levels for residents of Park Island in the northern part of Ma Wan since the airport was relocated to Lantau.

Environmental Impact Assessment Report

It contains the results of an assessment of the environmental impacts of the expansion project and the future operation of the Three-Runway System in 12 aspects, such as air quality, aircraft noise and human health, etc. It has pointed out that the expansion project will cause no more than a moderate degree of impact on the habitat of the CWDs, the Sha Chau egretry and the surrounding fisheries areas. [16]

Alleviating measures (by HKSAR)

The EIA report recommends the adoption of more than 250 mitigation measures.Non-dredge land formation method will be adopted for ground improvement, diversion of aviation fuel pipelines by horizontal directional drilling in the deep sub-sea bedrock stratum, and diversion of submarine electricity cables by water jetting. Moreover, a new marine park will be established after the construction of the third runway. [16]

Estimated profit

Transportation hub

The project was estimated to bring several economic benefits to Hong Kong. Since the air traffic movement in Hong Kong grows rapidly from 200 thousands in 1998 to 400 thousands in 2013. The three-runway system of the airport can increase the efficiency of air transportation and thus maintain Hong Kong’s status as Asia-Pacific transportation hub and commercial centre. An enhanced transportation can improve productive forces and stimulate economic growth.

Contribution to four economic pillars

Furthermore, the development of the third runway was said to bring economic profits to financial services, tourism, trading and logistics, and produce services by increasing the flow of people and goods.

Provision of jobs opportunities

Hong Kong Airport has currently provided over 65,000 jobs opportunities, including construction industry and service sector.

References

  1. 1 2 Option 2: Three-Runway System Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK)
  2. ↑ Three Runway System Airport Authority Hong Kong
  3. ↑ Hong Kong International Airport Master Plan 2030 Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK)
  4. ↑ 行會通過第三條跑道 造價逾千三億 Oriental Daily (March 21, 2012)
  5. ↑ The Three-Runway System: A Three-Phase Process Airport Authority Hong Kong
  6. ↑ Three Runway System Airport Authority Hong Kong

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