Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) has officially started simultaneous three-runway operations for the first time allowing more aircraft to take off and land together.
Construction of the Three-runway System (3RS) began in 2016 and culminated in a special ceremony at the airport on November 28, 2024, where invited guests watched triple runway operations start in real time.
Under Hong Kong Airport’s plans, the three runways will enable 120 million passengers and 10 million tons of cargo to be handled annually from around 2034.
“This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the PRC. The three-runway system of HKIA has been completed and is now in operation, carrying passengers from around the country and cargo to more destinations, and providing more options for global passenger and cargo flow into the mainland, which is particularly significant,” said John KC Lee, CEO of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Lee added: “HKIA is an important gateway to the world for Hong Kong and the entire Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, playing a strategic role in social and economic development.”
The new North Runway was commissioned in November 2022, however the airport continued to operate with two runways, while the Centre Runway was closed temporarily for reconfiguration.
As part of the reconfiguration, runway platforms were leveled so they connected with the taxiways, new runway entries and exit taxiways were built, and wrap-around taxiways at both ends of the runway were constructed.
“With the completion of the reconfiguration works, the flight check and aircraft crash and rescue exercise were completed on the Centre Runway in September and October respectively,” a spokesperson for Hong Kong International Airport, said.
Fred Lam, Chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong, said the new system will “significantly enhance the overall capacity” of the airport and “support Hong Kong’s economic growth”.
“Leveraging Hong Kong’s unique strengths, the Airport City will be a world-leading new landmark, attracting visitors from all around the world and driving Hong Kong’s economic development,” added Lam.