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STH visits Civil Aviation Department (with photos)
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     The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, learnt more about the operation of the new Air Traffic Management System (ATMS) after its full commissioning since November 14 last year during a visit to the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) Headquarters this afternoon (February 7). He took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the CAD colleagues for their professional performance.

     Professor Cheung, accompanied by the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Mr Simon Li, toured the new Air Traffic Control (ATC) Centre and the ATC Tower to understand more about the operation of the new ATMS. During the peak air traffic flow periods in last Christmas and New Year, as well as the Lunar New Year holidays, the CAD handled higher air traffic volumes compared with the same periods over a year earlier. The CAD also handled a record-high number of overflights (i.e. flights flying through the Hong Kong Flight Information Region (HKFIR) without taking off or landing at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)) in a single day and set a new record in handling over 2 000 daily flight movements (including a daily average of 1 160 flights taking off or landing at HKIA and 900 overflights) for 11 consecutive days (during January 19 to 29).

     Noting that air traffic services were maintained to be safe and smooth amid a surge in air traffic flow within the HKFIR, Professor Cheung said this was the best proof of the outstanding performance of all air traffic controllers and the new ATMS.

     He then met with front-line staff of the CAD, including the Chairman and representatives of the CAD Electronics Engineers' Branch of the Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants' Association and the President and representatives of the Hong Kong Air Traffic Control Association, as well as colleagues of the ATMS project team. Electronic engineers' representatives explained to Professor Cheung that similar to the transition of any large-scale and complicated air traffic control system, the teething issues encountered by the CAD during the initial commissioning of the ATMS were unavoidable, while representatives of air traffic controllers said they have become more competent and confident in operating the new ATMS. The CAD colleagues pledged that they would work with each other in optimising the ATMS and offering quality air traffic services in the most professional manner. The DGCA told Professor Cheung that the Expert Panel set up by the CAD had evaluated the various teething issues encountered during the initial stage of the new ATMS' full commissioning, and agreed that they did not undermine aviation safety nor affect the operations of the new ATMS. The CAD will spare no efforts in optimising the new ATMS with reference to the Expert Panel's advice. The DGCA remarked that the third meeting of the Expert Panel would be held in February. After collating and summing up all the information, a preliminary report is expected to be made in March or April this year.

     Professor Cheung thanked the CAD colleagues for their dedication in providing efficient air traffic services to the public round-the-clock during the peak air traffic flow periods in last Christmas and New Year as well as the Lunar New Year holidays. Their efforts in handling the record-breaking number of overflights with ease also contributed in enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub in the region.

     He said that the Transport and Housing Bureau and the CAD will continue to monitor closely the operation of the new ATMS and ensure the system's safety, offering the public and the global aviation industry reliable and quality air traffic management services.
 
Ends/Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:33
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The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung (left), visited the Civil Aviation Department this afternoon (February 7) to learn more about the operation of the new Air Traffic Management System after its full commissioning since November 14 last year.
Accompanied by the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Simon Li (first left), the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung (second left), receives a briefing on the operation of the new Air Traffic Management System at the new Air Traffic Control (ATC) Centre and the ATC Tower this afternoon (February 7).
At a meeting with front-line staff of the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) this afternoon (February 7), the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung (centre), thanked CAD colleagues for their dedication in providing efficient air traffic services to the public round-the-clock during the peak air traffic flow periods in last Christmas and New Year as well as the Lunar New Year holidays.