The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is in search for a permanent heliport site to meet the high demand, as domestic helicopter service in Hong Kong has been witnessing a rapid growth in the past 10 years.

The volume of helicopter movements for tourism purposes increased 20 percent each year in the past 10 years and the helicopter movements in the first 10 months this year reached 4, 000, 30 percent up over last year's same period, according to statistics provided by the Civil Aviation Department.

Secretary for Economic Development and Labor Stephen Ip Shu- Kwan was quoted by Monday's Hong Kong Commercial Daily News as saying that the government is looking for a permanent place for the heliport to provide steady service and at the same time collaborating with the Chinese mainland to discuss the landing and taking off fee in hope of widening the service over the border.

Ip made the remarks at the inauguration ceremony of the new West Kowloon Heliport Sunday.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Department said Sunday that "it is believed that the development of domestic helicopter services will enhance Hong Kong's role as a regional and international aviation center. It will also help in promoting Hong Kong as a tourist destination, enriching visitors' travel experience and enhancing Hong Kong's attractiveness."

"It has been the government's long standing policy to facilitate the development of commercial helicopter services," he added.

The new West Kowloon Heliport, located at the southern tip of the West Kowloon Reclamation, became operational as of Sunday for domestic helicopter services.

The Hong Kong government made this site as a temporary domestic heliport to facilitate the continuous development of commercial helicopter services following the closure of the Central Heliport.

Occupying an area of about 7,910 square meters, the West Kowloon Heliport comprises one landing/take-off pad and three parking pads.

Close

Today's Top News		Top National News
+Wen warns Taiwan not to misuse democracy ( 2003-12-08) +Beijingers get greater poll choices ( 2003-12-08) +Chinese netizens to hit 78 million ( 2003-12-08) +Kicking around on roof of the world ( 2003-12-08) +Massive west-to-east migration proposed ( 2003-12-08)		+Road accident kills 3 in E. China ( 2003-12-08) +HK to promote helicopter services ( 2003-12-08) +China more important trade partner for Indonesia ( 2003-12-08) +Coal mine explosions kill 19 ( 2003-12-08) +Internet Press Service Committee launched ( 2003-12-08)