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Following is the speech by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, at the ceremony marking Hong Kong International Airport's induction into TTG Travel's Hall of Fame cum Smiles at the Airport Campaign Awards Presentation today (November 22):
Mr (Stanley) Hui, Dr (Peter) Lam, distinguished guests, members of the Hong Kong International Airport community, ladies and gentlemen,
I am very pleased to join you here today to celebrate Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)'s induction into the TTG Travel's Hall of Fame, and to present the "Smiles at the Airport" Campaign Awards. It gives me a wonderful reason to visit the airport without the stress of having to make time to catch my flight! But then I must say each time I come to the airport, I feel so much at home.
On this occasion, I would like to warmly congratulate everyone in the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) community. Having won the "Best Airport" TTG Travel Award for 10 consecutive years is no small achievement by any measure. You have all done a superb job to enable HKIA to earn this honourable recognition from the industry.
Air travel is one of the quickest and most convenient modes of transportation in the modern-day world. Very often, airports are visitors' first point of contact when they set foot in a country or a city. Check-in efficiency, on-time departures or arrivals, smooth operations of immigration and security checkpoints, speed of baggage re-claim, cleanliness of facilities, shop and restaurant varieties, and connecting transportation, etc, all form part of visitors' first impressions. I would sum it up in one simple word - it is all about "service"! A related word would be "experience". These two key words should drive the modus operandi of modern airports, particularly a hub airport such as HKIA.
The other theme of today's celebration - the "Smiles at the Airport" Campaign Awards Presentation - is a vivid demonstration of HKIA's emphasis on service excellence. I understand that this campaign was launched two months ago with an aim to deepen the passenger-oriented service culture among frontline staff. It also involves voting by the passengers. Without doubt, your smiles, as members of the HKIA community, have touched the hearts of many travellers on their voyages.
As part of the airport community, I am sure you are aware that the HKIA is at present witnessing exciting developments. To cope with ever-increasing traffic demand, both internationally and within the region, the Airport Authority Hong Kong is now pressing ahead with the planning of a third runway. Upon completion of the three-runway system, targeted for commissioning in 2023, the Hong Kong International Airport will have the capacity to handle over 600 000 flight movements, close to 100 million passengers, and some 9 million tonnes of cargo every year.
Hardware aside, the "people factor", or the "heartware", is vital to maintaining HKIA's name as the world's "best airport". The HKIA community will continue to count on every member's dedication and professionalism in providing seamless service to our passengers, as we go forward amid these exciting expansion plans.
Let me take this opportunity to salute all members of the HKIA community for your dedicated service and your contribution to the Hong Kong brand. Thank you very much.
Ends/Friday, November 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:42
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