Three-runway System Development Crosses Milestone as Runway Re-designation Completed

02/12/2021

The existing North Runway (07L/25R) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has been re-designated as the Centre Runway (07C/25C) on 2 December 2021, signifying an important milestone for the expansion of the airport into a Three-runway System (3RS).

The new Third Runway, which will be put into operation in 2022, will be designated as the North Runway (07L/25R). Prior to that, the existing North Runway has to be re-designated as the Centre Runway (07C/25C) according to International Civil Aviation Organisation’s requirement.

At 0001hrs on 2 December, the North Runway of HKIA was closed to undergo the final re-designation procedures. The runway designation markings and the mandatory instruction markings of 07L and 25R on the runway and taxiways respectively were replaced by 07C and 25C. Movement area guidance signs on the airfield, as well as relevant equipment and procedures for HKIA’s air traffic control and airport operations control systems were also modified. The South Runway remained in operation when the North Runway was being re-designated and air traffic movements at the HKIA operated smoothly throughout the period.

After comprehensive testing of the equipment and inspections of the runway jointly conducted by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) and AAHK, the newly designated Centre Runway opened for operations at around 0800hrs.

The CAD has been working closely with AAHK to provide support for the runway re-designation in various aspects concerning air traffic control and aircraft take-off and landing, including modification of equipment and procedures.

In addition to the runway re-designation, other preparation work for the targeted commissioning of the Third Runway in 2022 will include exercises, drills, trials and documentation work. Thereafter the Centre Runway will be closed for reconfiguration, conducted in parallel with other works of the 3RS project, with the target of completing the construction of the 3RS in 2024 as planned.

New movement area guidance signage (MAGS) is prepared.
New movement area guidance signage (MAGS) is prepared.
Relevant airport systems are modified.
Relevant airport systems are modified.
Various parties participate in briefing before re-designation begins.
Various parties participate in briefing before re-designation begins.
MAGS on the airfield are modified.
MAGS on the airfield are modified.
The runway designation markings and the mandatory instruction markings of 07L and 25r on the runway and taxiways respectively are replaced by 07C and 25C.
The runway designation markings and the mandatory instruction markings of 07L and 25r on the runway and taxiways respectively are replaced by 07C and 25C.
Airport Authority Hong Kong and Civil Aviation Department conduct final inspection of the runway.
Airport Authority Hong Kong and Civil Aviation Department conduct final inspection of the runway.
New runway designation marking.
New runway designation marking.
the first aircraft lands on the Centre Runway.
the first aircraft lands on the Centre Runway.
The first commercial flight lands on the Centre Runway.
The first commercial flight lands on the Centre Runway.

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