OREANDA-NEWS. May 28, 2012. Cathay Pacific Airways today (Monday) welcomed the start of the statutory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for creating a three-runway system at Hong Kong International Airport.

"This is an important milestone for a crucial project that will ensure Hong Kong can continue to thrive as one of the world's leading international aviation hubs," said Cathay Pacific Chief Operating Officer Ivan Chu.

The project profile submitted by the Airport Authority to the Hong Kong SAR Government today gives an outline of the potential environmental impact of the project, covering a wide range of issues such as air and water quality, noise, marine ecology, fisheries, landscape and cultural heritage.

"We have no doubt that every effort will be made to minimise and mitigate the environment impacts and to address the concerns raised by the public," said Mr Chu.

He also welcomed the setting up of special focus groups and community liaison groups to gauge public opinion on the project.

"For such a large-scale project, it is certainly important for the Airport Authority to engage the public and community groups at an early stage," Mr Chu said.