EDDIE LEEeddie.lee@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 09 September, 2015, 12:01am
UPDATED : Wednesday, 09 September, 2015, 12:01am
A levy on airport passengers may be set lower than the proposed HK$180, the transport minister says. Photo: Sam Tsang
A proposed HK$180-per-traveller fee for passengers flying out of Hong Kong International Airport may be lowered amid public concern, the transport minister said yesterday.
The levy has been put forward by the Airport Authority as one way to help meet the cost of a third runway at the airport, which is fast approaching capacity.
But Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung said yesterday that the authority had agreed the fee should not impose a burden, especially for economy passengers on short-haul flights.
Meanwhile the government is considering appointing independent experts to monitor a controversial air traffic control system newly installed at the airport after media reports of glitches during testing.
Professor Anthony Cheung says experts may be brought in to monitor a new air traffic control system. Photo: K.Y. Cheng
"We won't compromise on safety," Cheung said yesterday.
He was referring to emerging concerns about the reliability of the Autotrac III system following widespread criticism of its delayed deployment.
Ming Pao quoted frontline air traffic controllers taking part in the tests as saying the new system might "jeopardise safety". The newspaper reported that a "catastrophic failure" occurred during a safety test on July 31, a claim denied by the Civil Aviation Department.
"The new system is still being set up. Unusual data was inputted to test it on purpose in July," said Cheung, without confirming whether there were serious glitches. But the transport chief said he hoped aviation officials would give further details about the issue.
The US-made radar system was bought in 2011 and was meant to be running by the end of 2012. The department's latest estimate is that it will be ready only in the first half of next year.
In the meantime, the city's 450 air traffic controllers and support staff are using a radar system that reached its use-by date three years ago. Staff previously told the Post the new system added more time to simple tasks. For example, there was no hot key for certain commands.
Cheung admitted the authorities had been "too optimistic" about the completion date. He said the authorities attached importance to progress of the project, but safety took priority.
He added that he was discussing with aviation officials whether further independent experts from overseas should be recruited to help in processing the new system, in the hope of addressing public concerns.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1856495/hong-kong-international-airports-hk180-head-third-runway-fee
