The Airport Authority (AA) reported a net profit of HK$71 million (US$9.1million) in its recent annual report, setting the stage for future growth in both revenue and profitability.
This was its first annual profit since Hong Kong International Airport was opened at Chek Lap Kok three years ago. The results have more than met earlier forecasts by AA officials that the airport would be profitable within three to five years of its opening.
AA Chairman Victor Fung highlighted the importance of the airport to the long-term development of Hong Kong and the neighbouring Pearl River Delta in the Chinese mainland.
：Hong Kong, as an integral part of this economic region, is well positioned to maintain its leading role in intra-regional as well as global trade and investment, given its strong and solid foundation as a free economy and its reputation as a major trading centre of the world.
：We share the Hong Kong SAR Government・s vision to build Hong Kong as a world city of Asia that can serve as a regional financial centre, a centre for multinationals・ regional headquarters and a transportation hub.；
AA chief executive Dr David Pang said new records had been set in the number of aircraft movements and passenger and cargo throughput, making HKIA one of the world・s busiest international airports.
：Our aim is to aggressively enhance HKIA as a major international and regional aviation hub and gateway to China by expanding the existing air network and linking the airport with a greater number of destinations. There will also be increased frequencies both around the world and to more cities on the mainland.・・
AA had reduced fees for aircraft landing and parking by 15 per cent as of January. ：The reduction has improved our ranking among international airports of comparable status.；
