Third runway to begin operations on Friday
The Airport Authority said on Saturday that aircraft will start landing and taking off on the third runway at Chek Lap Kok from this Friday, July 8, with the current north runway closing for reconfiguration on the same day.  Airport officials say the move will allow local and overseas airlines to adjust to new procedures and arrangements relating to the new runway in an orderly way.  Flight-checks for the third runway were completed in April to ensure the equipment and flight procedures, as well as the airfield ground lighting system, met the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation and Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department. Officials said the reconfiguration of the airport's three runways, and the building of a new passenger concourse, are expected to be completed in 2024. In May, the authority said travellers will have to keep paying towards the construction of the HK$141 billion project until at least 2033 as the Covid-19 pandemic had flattened passenger numbers.