050117en03006

	news.gov.hk
	From Hong Kong's Information Services Department

January 17, 2005

Aviation

HK, Hangzhou airports sign agreement

The Airport Authority and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport have signed a letter of intent to form a strategic alliance, outlining the consensus reached for an intention for an equity investment to form a new joint-venture company.

Under the letter of intent, Hong Kong airport will work with Hangzhou in the planning of a logistics park. Both parties will jointly promote an air bridge between Hong Kong and Hangzhou, to attract more airlines to operate flights and help develop the economy. Binding agreements will be officially signed with the approval of the respective Governing Boards and Governments

Done deal: HK Airport (left) and Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (right) will work together with the signing of a letter of intent by Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr David Pang and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Chairman Chen Haimei.

The letter of intent was signed by Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr David Pang and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Chairman Chen Haimei.

"This joint venture is a major milestone for the AA's initiative to foster strategic alliances with Mainland airports," Dr Pang said.

"As a major aviation hub for the country, we are very pleased to share with HXIA airport management experience in areas such as operation, services, safety, security and retail planning and management. We are glad to contribute to the development of the aviation industry and the economy of the two places."

Chen Haimei said economic activities and development in Zhejiang and Hong Kong have provided the civil aviation industry, in particular the airport business, with vitality and opportunities and favourable conditions for the joint venture.

Exceptional management

He said the HXIA had been in talks with several international airports on joint venture plans, and the authority emerged as the partner with its exceptional airport management experience.

This Zhejiang-Hong Kong joint venture is an important step undertaken by the Zhejiang Provincial Party and Government authorities in implementing CEPA, and also marks a major breakthrough in the opening up and reforms of civilian airports.

The co-operation will help both airports to complement each other by the utilisation of resources, and through the building of an air bridge, connect the two cities in areas including economy, tourism and cultural exchange. This will enhance the flows of people, goods, money and information, facilitating long-term prosperity for both places.

Record growth

Hong Kong International Airport has recorded double-digit growth over the previous year and new records set for passenger, cargo and aircraft movements.

Passenger numbers amounted to 37.141 million last year, up 8.2% over 2002. When compared with 2003, the increase was over 35%.

Cargo throughput for the year topped 3.1 million tonnes, a 25.2% rise on 2002, and a 17.4% rise on 2003.

There were 237,135 landings and takeoffs during the year, up 14.7% on 2002, and 26.5% on 2003.

On a monthly basis, passenger numbers for last December totalled 3.346 million, up 12% on the same period in 2002 and 11.5% on 2003.

Air cargo handled last month weighted 283,000 tonnes, up 14.1% on December 2003.

There were 20,780 aircraft movements, up 9.4% on the same period in 2003.