A Cathay Pacific flight takes off at the Hong Kong International Airport, which is expanding its runways, terminal and concourse, and will handle around 120 million passengers and 10 million tons of cargo per year, further cementing Hong Kong's position as a global aviation hub. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong is set to enhance its status as an international aviation hub in the post-pandemic era on the back of its robust infrastructure and a new quality training facility, according to industry leaders.

In the face of the exceptional challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong has withstood the test and is now gearing up to recapture its aviation glory by nurturing new talent and expanding Hong Kong International Airport's handling capacity for both passengers and cargo.

"Hong Kong always overcomes its challenges, and comes out better in the end," said Jack So Chakkwong, chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, or AAHK, noting that it has already started recovery programs.

The Hong Kong International Airport, or HKIA, has continued to see a year-on-year surge in the number of people using the airport. In April, the number of passengers soared to about 3.1 million, which is around 24 times higher than that for April 2022.

The rally has been underpinned by a flurry of policy easing measures and lifting of travel restrictions in the wake of the pandemic. Quarantine-free travel between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong resumed on Jan 8. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has now removed all social distancing measures related to COVID-19, as the city returns to normalcy.

At the HKIA, a third runway, measuring 3,800 meters long and 60 meters wide, was put into operation in July 2022 as part of AAHK's Three-Runway System project. The project includes expanding Terminal 2 and building a new T2 concourse, automated people mover system and high-speed baggage handling system. The entire project is due to be completed by 2024, further cementing Hong Kong's role as an aviation hub on the global stage.

The Three-Runway System is expected to increase the total handling capacity of the HKIA to 120 million passengers and 10 million tons of cargo per year. That compares to about 75 million passengers and 5 million tons of cargo before the pandemic.

So said the ultimate goal was to establish a comprehensive ecosystem under the "Airport City" vision, which comprises hotels, offices, retail, entertainment and other commercial developments, thereby driving the economic growth of Hong Kong and its neighboring regions.

In addition to the Three-Runway System, the AAHK is taking steps to enhance connectivity between the airport and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, or GBA. This will help integrate Hong Kong into the GBA.

"I believe that the future for Hong Kong is bright and that we'll resume our role as China's gateway to the world," So said.

President of the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy, or HKIAA, Simon Li Tin-chui, was equally upbeat. "We can foresee that the completion of the Three-Runway System at the HKIA in 2024 will create more opportunities. There is a greater need than ever for talented individuals to join the aviation industry."

Li was confident in the city's ability to nurture and retain local talents. With five training centers covering air traffic management, airport operations and crisis management, aviation security and safety, flight training and engineering as well as foundation and academic programs, the HKIAA offers a diverse curriculum that not only caters to the training needs of aviation professionals, but also newcomers to the industry and young people looking to pursue a career in aviation.

The HKIAA will also collaborate with education institutions in the mainland to launch the GBA Youth Aviation Industry Internship Program, whereby students from the mainland will undertake classroom training at the HKIAA, followed by an 11-month training internship in one of the following aviation professions at the HKIA: aircraft engineering, customer/ground handling services, ramp/flight operations services, air cargo, airline catering, aviation security and aviation development. It is expected that about 300 students will join the program in the first year.