Familiarisation flights begin on Hong Kong’s new third runway

Operation familiarisation for flights on Hong Kong International Airport’s new North Runway started today.

At 08.24, a Government Flying Service plane landed as the first flight taking part in the familiarisation on the Third Runway, followed by the first commercial flight, a cargo flight from Shanghai Pudong, touching down at 08.27.

Final preparation for operation familiarisation on the Third Runway and associated taxiways began in the evening of July 7, including a joint inspection by Airport Authority Hong Kong and Civil Aviation Department.

As operation familiarisation commenced on the new runway, the Centre Runway is temporarily closed for reconfiguration as part of the Three-runway System (3RS) development.

While the Centre Runway is temporarily closed, HKG will continue to operate as a two-runway system with the new North Runway and the South Runway.

In addition to the Third Runway, the 3RS project comprises the expansion of Terminal 2, development of a new T2 Concourse, Automatic People Mover and Baggage Handling System, and is targeted to complete in 2024 as scheduled.