Email this article news.gov.hk
Speech by DGCA at new CAD Headquarters Topping-out Ceremony (English only)(with photo)
************************************************************

     Following is the speech by the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Norman Lo, at the new Civil Aviation Department Headquarters Topping-out Ceremony today (July 11):

Good afternoon, Eva (Cheng), distinguished guests, colleagues, media friends, ladies and gentlemen,

     Thank you for coming to this topping-out ceremony of our new CAD Building.

     As a start, please allow me to provide you with some background information on the CAD Building project.  In addition to our role as the safety regulator of the aviation industry, we also provide air traffic management service to aircraft operating within Hong Kong airspace.  In the past six months, we handled a daily average of 900 aircraft movements at our International Airport and about 500 flights that overflew Hong Kong without landing.  When compared with the traffic figures in the year 1998 when the airport was relocated to CLK, the traffic throughput today has been doubled for airport flight movements and one and a half times more for overflying traffic.  

     In anticipation of the traffic growth due to rapid economic development in the region and to meet the projected traffic demand, the CAD considered all options available and concluded that it was necessary to build a larger Air Traffic Control Centre and to replace the existing ageing air traffic control system with a new state-of-the-art system that can provide more control and management functionalities and controller workstations.  The idea of pursuing an integrated new CAD Building with the new Air Traffic Control Centre was therefore mooted in 2005.  With the support of the Government and the industry, the site that we are now standing on was secured from the Airport Authority.  After many rounds of meetings and presentations, the funding of the project was eventually approved by the LegCo Finance Committee in 2008.  

     As for our building requirements, we have asked for specific design criteria and provisions that reflect our concepts on sustainability, environment-friendly initiatives and aviation education for youth.  You will be pleased to note that our new air traffic control system will have the processing capacity and functionality to cope with the anticipated traffic demand even beyond the year 2030.  Sufficient floor areas have been reserved in our new building for further enhancement of our air traffic control service when such needs arise.  With our new building, the CAD will also be able to provide one stop shop service to our industry partners and the public.  With additional manpower resources, we will be able to take more active roles in organising aviation-related activities, such as hosting international meetings, conferences and regional training programmes.  All of these have the objective of promoting Hong Kong as a regional centre of aviation.

     On this occasion of topping-out our new building today, I am pleased to inform you that construction is making very good progress.  The construction of the new Air Traffic Control Centre is expected to be completed in November this year so that installation of the new system can take place followed by testing, operational evaluation and transition training for our controllers.  The remaining offices will be ready for occupation by the end of next year.  Full commissioning of the entire new headquarters is expected to take place in 2013.

     I wish to take this opportunity to convey my sincere thanks to the Director of Architectural Services and her team for their professional advice and quality oversight in the design and construction of the building.  My thanks also go to the Dragages team for their co-operation and quality service right from day one of the project.  Last but not least, my appreciation goes to all my hardworking colleagues, in particular members of the project team who have worked relentlessly by turning ideas to reality.  Year 2011 is a special year as it marks the centenary of aviation development in Hong Kong.  And for today's ceremony, I am sure it will also make a mark on aviation development for the next 100 years.  On behalf of my colleagues, thank you for gracing us with the honour of your presence.

     Thank you very much.

Ends/Monday, July 11, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:28

NNNN

Photo
Print this page