MR YIU SI-WING (in Cantonese):

President, according to the figures provided by the authorities, over the past five years, the traffic flow and the number of traffic accidents on Lantau Link and North Lantau Highway have obviously risen. With the additional factor of global warming, there is a higher possibility of bridge closure due to severe typhoons, thus affecting the travellers and flight crew heading to the airport. If this is not properly handled, the international reputation of Hong Kong will be tarnished. I would like to ask the Secretary whether he has conducted a comprehensive review on the impact of late arrival of passengers at the airport due to traffic and weather conditions and on the handling measures, including discussion with AA so as to minimize the possibility of missing the flight by passengers.

 

SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AND HOUSING (in Cantonese):

President, I thank Mr YIU for his supplementary question. The Hong Kong International Airport is indeed the lifeline of the air transport of Hong Kong, and we thus attach great importance to the traffic links between the Hong Kong International Airport and the urban areas or the New Territories. In the wake of some cases of traffic congestion and delay due to traffic accidents or inclement weather, the Bureau and the departments concerned have conducted an in-depth internal study and review. We can say that the transport services and the performance of the organizations concerned in Hong Kong are very professional on the whole. Despite some traffic delays in the past which have caused inconvenience to the public and the tourists, overall speaking, the impact on aviation services has been minimized as far as possible. Besides, we can see either on the scene or from the news that basically, cross-border visitors or travellers departing from Hong Kong have a very high opinion of our contingency measures. In regard to the situation just mentioned, TD has already formulated a contingency mechanism. For instance, in the event of any traffic accidents or worsened weather conditions, it will issue proper notification to drivers and travellers in advance or in a timely manner. This is one of the measures. Besides, we will also make arrangements on traffic diversions. Through broadcasting and pubic communication channels, we will alert the drivers in the hope that they can adjust their routes. We will have proper arrangements with the management company of the Lantau Link such that resources can be deployed to relieve congestion in case of such incidents. We will also put in place comprehensive and sophisticated arrangements with the Police Force and the Traffic Control Centre of TD. Through the implementation of such planning and measures, we hope that in case of undesirable traffic accidents or inclement weather in future, smooth traffic can still be maintained while the impact on aviation and passenger traffic of the airport can be reduced.

 

MR YIU SI-WING (in Cantonese):

The Secretary has not answered my question. He only focused on the internal measures of the Government, but my supplementary question is whether he has any further study with AA on message dissemination or other supporting measures in this aspect, which he has not given an answer.

 

SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AND HOUSING (in Cantonese):

We have close cooperation with AA as we understand that in the event of serious traffic accidents or worsened weather conditions, quite a number of travellers will be stranded in Hong Kong. We have 1100 flights each day. When there are 200 to 300 passengers in each flight, the number of passengers affected will be very large. We have been closely connected with AA, the Civil Aviation Department and other related organizations, including the tourism industry. Hence, we have been working smoothly in easing the traffic flow and following up on flight changes. We will continue to put in efforts and look for better arrangements.