OREANDA-NEWS. Cathay Pacific Airways welcomes the commitment made by the Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, in his Policy Address today that the Government will continue to plan and adopt measures to enhance the status of Hong Kong as an international aviation and logistics hub, thereby boosting the city's long-term competitiveness.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Ivan Chu said: “We are encouraged by the Government's support for the development of a third runway at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), which is crucial for the sustainable growth of Hong Kong's aviation industry and maintaining Hong Kong's position as Asia's premier aviation hub. The planning and development of land reserved for cargo use at the airport island will also consolidate HKIA's status as the world's number-one hub for international air cargo.”

Cathay Pacific supports the Government's study into the development of Hong Kong's aerospace financing business which will enrich the city's strength as an international aviation and financial centre.

As a long-standing member of the airport community in Lantau, Cathay Pacific also welcomes the various proposed initiatives to develop the East Lantau Metropolis and Tung Chung New Town Extension on the back of the upcoming completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and other important transport links.

“The bridge and road links will help turn Tung Chung into an important transport hub connecting Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region, while the development of the new town will help to ensure the provision of vital manpower resources for the many aviation companies operating on the airport island. These are all positive measures in terms of the development of the aviation sector,” Mr Chu added.

The ongoing labour shortage has been an issue among many companies operating in the local aviation industry. Cathay Pacific welcomes the Government's initiatives to address this issue.