The Government today announced that it proposes to amend the Hong Kong International Airport’s area maps, approach area and height restrictions to facilitate the commissioning of the third runway and the three-runway system.

It explained that the proposed technical amendments are necessary to safeguard aviation safety and ensure the airport’s safe and effective operation with the commissioning of the third runway and three-runway system.

The Airport Authority’s target is to commission the third runway and associated infrastructure in 2022, after which the existing north runway will be closed for about two years for reconfiguration into a new centre runway. The three-runway project is scheduled for completion in 2024.

The project includes reclamation of land to the north of the existing Airport Island. It is proposed to expand the airport area and the restricted area to cover the third runway and associated infrastructure on the reclaimed land so that they will be integrated with the infrastructure on the existing Airport Island.

As a result of the reclamation, part of the waters within the existing airport approach area No. 3 and 7 at the airport’s northern part will no longer exist. The two areas’ boundaries must be expanded accordingly to regulate vessels’ movement in the vicinity.

To cater for the changes in airspace protection requirements and to take into account the latest international aviation standards, new airport height restrictions have been formulated for controlling building heights.

The surrounding sea or mountainous areas in the airport vicinity will be subject to more stringent airport height restrictions, while the remaining areas constituting the majority of Hong Kong will be subject to less stringent restrictions.

The above-mentioned amendments will ensure the airport’s safe and effective operation as a whole as well as safeguard the operation of aircraft and air navigation service equipment.

Members of the Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development had no objection to the legislative proposals when they were consulted on the matter.

The proposed legislative amendments will be made by way of subsidiary legislation involving the Airport Authority Ordinance, the Shipping & Port Control Regulations and the Hong Kong Airport (Control of Obstructions) Ordinance.

The amendments will be tabled at LegCo on August 25 for negative vetting and will come into operation on May 31, 2022.