The number of business aviation aircraft movements at Hong Kong International Airport rose to 3,633 last year from 1,287 in 2003, Secretary for Transport & Housing Eva Cheng says.

She told lawmakers today the figure accounts for 1% of total aircraft movement at the airport and has a small impact on the workload of the airport and air traffic management.

Ms Cheng added the Civil Aviation Department monitors the maintenance and airworthiness standards of all Hong Kong-registered aircraft including private planes. All aircraft must undergo scheduled maintenance and additional checks every three to six months.

The department conducts regular flight and documentation inspections of Hong Kong- and foreign-registered aircraft using the airport.