The Tripartite Working Group of the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao civil aviation authorities will strictly adhere to the Basic Law in implementing the Pearl River Delta Region Air Traffic Management Planning & Implementation Plan, the Civil Aviation Department says.
The department issued a statement today responding to unfounded allegations by certain groups that the shared use of airspace may violate the Basic Law.
The statement referred to a diagram the groups revealed to the media yesterday illustrating how the department would handle the airspace between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The department said it had not exhibited any diagram to the Town Planning Board and the one shown to reporters was not made by the department.
It said the tripartite group would also comply with safety regulations on airspace management set out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
The statement reiterated that no matter which airspace management plan Hong Kong, Macao and the Mainland adopt, airspace ownership still belongs to the original air traffic control unit in line with the Basic Law.
To enhance air traffic management efficiency, the International Civil Aviation Organisation has been advocating that air route structure and air traffic management efficiency, instead of territorial boundaries, should be the prime considerations in planning the airspace.
Agreements to permit delineation of airspace lying across national boundaries are advisable when it will facilitate the provision of air traffic services, the department said, adding that this kind of airspace management methodology is common international practice.
The department will continue to take forward measures to enhance flight procedures and air traffic management efficiency in the Pearl River Delta region in a progressive manner to cope with rapid air traffic growth in the future.
