Air Cargo services at the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok continued to make significant improvements, with the daily average volume of cargo handled in the past three days exceeding 4,200 tonnes, or 87 per cent of the daily average volume handled in 1997.

The airport's largest air freight handler, Hong Kong International Terminals Limited (HACTL) is currently processing about 75 per cent of the total volume and the remainder by other operators.

Meanwhile, the Commission of Inquiry set up to look into events surrounding the opening of the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok will hold a preliminary hearing on Friday (August 14).

The two-member Commission, which is vested with full judicial powers, was appointed by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, Mr. Tung Chee Hwa, on July 22 following events which seriously hampered passenger and air cargo services.

The Commission is headed by Mr. Justice Woo Kwok Hing. The other member is Dr. Edgar Cheng, a renowned businessman and a former chairman of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The inquiry will be completed in six months.

For more information please contact Chief Information Officer, Mr. Frank Chuan at telephone no: (416) 924-5544.