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Since 1947, Hong Kong has become centre
of aviation as Pan American Airways commenced there around-the-world
service through Hong Kong. In 1949, QANTAS Empire Airways
began regular Sydney to Hong Kong service through Darwin
and Labuan. British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC)
began a weekly London to Hong Kong service via Roma, Cairo,
Basra, Karachi, Calcutta and Bangkok. |
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Sandringham of British Overseas Airways Corporation
(1950s). |
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DC4 of Cathay Pacific Airways (1954). |
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On 16 June 1954, the master plan for the development
of Kai Tak Airport was approved by the government. The
runway promontory covered an area of 150 acres and supported
a 7 200-foot paved runway. |
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Kai Tak Development in 1956-57. |
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Kai Tak Development in 1958. |
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Temporary Kai Tak Airport
Control Tower near the runway that operated from 1958
to 1962 prior to the building of the Control Tower above
the Passenger Terminal Building. |
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Comet 4 of BOAC was approaching Kai Tak (1958). |
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On 21 September 1959, the Temporary
Passenger Terminal Building of Kai Tak Airport commenced
operation. |
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Control Tower above the Kai Tak Passenger Terminal Building
in 1960's. |
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Air Traffic Control Centre in 1960's
showing air traffic control enroute sector positions.
Aircraft position reports received from pilots were regularly
updated onto paper-stripboards. |
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With no other runway in the world demanding such a tight,
curved approach, the lighting pattern had to be unique
to Kai Tak. |
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Viewing Gallery. |
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The new Air Traffic Control Centre in Kai Tak was commissioned
on 31 August 1980. |
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In the late 1980's, at peak traffic
periods, squadrons of 747s seem to descend simultaneously
to decant their throngs into the terminal, facilities
are understandably strained. |
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Approaching Runway 13 from the west at speed limit of
120 knots led into a 40deg banked turn to the right. The
turn had a radius of 5,090 feet followed by a straight
run of 3,000 feet to the touchdown area. |
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While at Kai Tak, the 13 approach
continued to draw the world's attention and admiration
for its most unique sight of a city. |
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In 1990s, constructioin of the new Hong Kong International
Airport was steaming at full speed. |
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The Air Traffic Control Centre and
Tower and associated systems/facilities at Chek Lap Kok
were completed in 1997. |
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Air Traffic Control Centre at the Hong Kong International
Airport since 1998. |
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Air Traffic Control Tower at the Hong
Kong International Airport since 1998. |