2 HKIA MASTER PLAN 2030 PLANNING AHEAD Airport development is capital investment-intensive and requires a long lead time with considerable advance planning. In view of the impending “capacity crunch”, we must act promptly to map out the future development strategy for Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) in order to secure our competitiveness. Over the years, we have continuously invested in the infrastructure of HKIA and planned for its future expansion. Hitherto, about HK$18 billion has been invested in capital expenditure since airport opening, and a further HK$9.3 billion has just been committed to the Phase 1 of Midfield Development. Planning and development of airport infrastructure around the world requires a long lead time, due invariably to the complicated planning process, extended public consultation and approval procedures required, let alone the often highly complicated construction works involved. In Japan, Narita Airport Authority took 16 years, from 1986 to 2002, to plan and construct a second runway. In Germany, Frankfurt has taken 13 years to plan and build the Frankfurt Airport’s fourth runway, which is expected to be completed in late 2011. THE MASTER PLANNING PROCESS Since the commissioning of HKIA in 1998, we have adopted a forward looking approach in addressing the airport’s long-term needs. This is done through the preparation of a 20-year Master Plan, which is reviewed and updated every five years. We regularly review market changes and ensure that airport facility enhancements are planned in time to meet the needs of the aviation industry. The master planning process is highly structured. A step-by-step approach of the process is summarised in Figure 2.1. We have so far published two master plans, namely Master Plan 2020 and Master Plan 2025. Both planning documents have guided the development of our airport to date, including some of the major projects undertaken in recent years (see Figure 2.2). 8