Passenger flights to and from the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok continue to operate normally, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, said today (Wednesday).

The latest figure shows that some 28,000 passengers passed through Hong Kong between midnight (July 21) and 2.00 pm (July 22), with two thirds of the flights leaving on time or within 15 minutes of schedule. The average waiting time for baggage was 15 minutes.

"The statistics show that the operations at the passenger terminal is operating absolutely without any glitches, and in most instances have matched, if not surpassed, the standards of Kai Tak Airport," Mr Tong said.

On July 21, a total of 2,804 tonnes of air cargo was processed at the airport which represented some 60 per cent of the daily average volume handled in 1997 at the old airport.

The main cargo handler, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd (HACTL) processed 2,002 tonnes. These included imports, exports, and express cargo. The remaining volume was dealt with by Asia Airfreight Terminal.

Mr. Tong also pointed out that the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa has appointed a two-member Commission of Inquiry, with full judicial powers, to look into events surrounding the opening of the new airport. The Commission will be 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.

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