The South China Morning Post has reported that Hong Kong airport will cut number of flights able to take off or land overnight from summer 2017 by placing a night flying ban. Slots are already scarce at the airport and airlines have been requested early morning and late night flights.
The aviation regulator is planning to declare that the maximum number of aircraft taking off and landing between 2am and 6.59am will be limited to 32 flights per hour, down from 37, according to the report from the SCMP. The number of flights will be restricted to 160 during that period – a reduction of 13 per cent.
The Civil Aviation Department said the reduction was being enforced after taking advice from external consultants who recommended in 2008 that 37 planes taking off and landing was too intense.
HK Express said: “In order for [the airport] to remain competitive and to be a catalyst for growth in the Hong Kong economy, it is essential to find more efficient ways to deploy additional slots before the third runway is open.”