Aviation headquarters unveiled

It has a gross floor area of 41,000sq m.

According to a report, Chief Executive CY Leung officially opened the Civil Aviation Department Headquarters yesterday, May 23..

Located on the southeast corner of Airport Island, it has a gross floor area of 41,000 square metres.

It comprises a Regulatory & Training Building, an Air Traffic Control Centre with a state-of-the-art air traffic management system, and an Accident Investigation & Facilities Building. The centre will open in the second half of 2014, upon the completion of operational tests and training.

The headquarters also accommodates a centralised examination centre, dedicated aircraft accident investigation facilities, and a library and resource centre.

Mr Leung, accompanied by Secretary for Transport & Housing Prof Anthony Cheung and Director-General of Civil Aviation Norman Lo, said the new building brings all divisions of the department, which was scattered in various locations, under one roof.

He said the new Air Traffic Control Centre will be capable of handling the additional air traffic expected under the proposed three-runway system.

The headquarters is constructed with three main design themes, namely sustainability, environmental friendliness and education.

Over 30% of the site area and the roof of the headquarters are landscaped. Various environmentally friendly and energy-saving facilities such as solar powered pole lighting and a rainwater recycling system have been installed.

To boost the public's aviation knowledge, an education path has been constructed in the headquarters. It has three exhibition galleries introducing Hong Kong’s aviation history, its air traffic control operations, aviation security, flight safety, and accident investigation.