"Hong Kong Airport: Soaring above the rest"

Tuesday, July 6, 2004

Soaring above the rest Hub beats stiff competition to maintain its
high-flying title
The South China Morning Post


News that Hong Kong International Airport has been voted best in the
world for the fourth consecutive year in a massive passenger survey
conducted by Skytrax, an independent British-based aviation research
institute, comes as no surprise to the airlines that fly there.

In the survey, Cathay Pacific, which ranked third best airline after
Singapore Airlines and Emirates, was listed as having the best airport
lounges in first and business class categories.

Chek Lap Kok was cited for its open spaces, "clarity throughout the
terminal buildings", the natural sunlight that floods its passenger
terminal, and its beautiful views. These are aspects that "an older
airport such as Singapore Changi cannot compete directly with", Skytrax
said. Changi's terminal one opened in 1981; terminal two opened 10 years
later.

"There is no doubt Hong Kong's modern and user-friendly facilities offer
passengers a pleasant airport experience," Victor Ho, Cathay Pacific
general manager HKIA, said. "Its open space, fantastic views, natural
lighting and easy downtown connections offer additional comforts and
convenience to passengers."

Laura Crampton, assistant general manager for corporate communication at
Dragonair, attributed the airport's popularity with travellers to its
being exceptionally easy to use.

"The airport is certainly user-friendly," she said. "In the recent
Skytrax survey, Dragonair ranked eighth worldwide for arrival/transfer
services at our home base. This covered ground staff assistance for
arriving passengers, baggage delivery service/airline assistance, and
quality/ease of transfer service.

"This combination of airline and facility co-operation makes for a
user-friendly experience, and in Hong Kong we achieve that very well."

However, Hong Kong is up against some stiff competition. Singapore,
which came in second place in the survey, came first in terms of
facilities provided for passenger comfort and amenities throughout its
terminal buildings.

Changi was also ranked best airport in Asia by Airport World, best
airport in the world by Business Traveller (Middle East), best airport
in Asia by Cargonews Asia, best airport authority in Asia-Pacific by
Duty Free News International and Trade Retailer International, and Asian
Air Cargo Airport of the Year by the Global Institute of Logistics. It
has even topped the rankings in the Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping
in Airports for eight years running.

Situated within five hours' flying time of half the world's population,
Chek Lap Kok boasts an unbeatable location.

"Hong Kong International Airport is clearly one of the best hub airports
in the world," Mr Ho said.

"It is right at the heart of Asia, halfway between Japan in the north
and Indonesia in the south, Taiwan in the east and Thailand in the west.
It is also right on the Great Circle Route between Australia and Europe.
Hong Kong is ideally located as the gateway to China".

With efficient check-in, immigration and baggage handling facilities,
the airport boasts a well-planned design.

"Passengers find the airport very easy to use," Mr Ho said. "The well
thought out design of the passenger terminal building enables passengers
to move speedily through arrival and departure formalities, and enjoy a
smooth transit connection."

Hong Kong's role as a bridge between China and the rest of the world is
another one of the airport's strengths.

"Hong Kong's aviation hub status depends very much on its serving as a
gateway between the mainland and the outside world," Mr Ho said. "Given
its global network and world standing, Cathay Pacific is uniquely placed
to serve in the linking role. As the home base carrier for Hong Kong, we
will continue to strengthen our network."

Ms Crampton of Dragonair said state-of-the-art facilities and efficient
services helped the airport maintain Hong Kong's position as an
international aviation hub and the pre-eminent gateway to the mainland.
"Dragonair benefits from this, allowing us to be efficient in terms of
turn-around times and on-time departures, and to be able to provide
passengers excellent ground services," she said.

"I believe Dragonair's service in the air and Hong Kong International
Airport's facilities and service on the ground make an unbeatable
combination as the aviation gateway to China. And we are committed to
maintaining that position."

With regional competitors such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul and
Sydney all vying for the No1 spot, Hong Kong is in no position to get
complacent.

"Of course, it is important for the airport to be competitive to ensure
Hong Kong maintains its strong aviation hub role," Ms Crampton said.
"And that is something I think we all - the airport and its users - want
to achieve.

"Today no company, be it an airline or an airport, can afford to rest on
its laurels. It's important to keep evolving services to meet customer
expectations. And it is something that Hong Kong International Airport
has been doing."

The commitment to stay on top starts with the Hong Kong Airport
Authority.

"We plan to set standards, not follow standards," airport authority
chief executive David Pang Ding-jung said.

"The combination of efficiency of our facilities and the excellent
standard of services we offer enable us to maintain our position as a
leading regional aviation hub. Throughout the years, we have established
a highly efficient infrastructure and facilities at Hong Kon
International Airport."


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