I know there are few people who have a concrete knowledge of what I'm about to discuss (even I don't), but let's consider.
When Kai Tak was being replaced in the 1980s and 90s, Chek Lap Kok was but one of a few locations put up for consideration for the new airport to be built. Other places included southern Lamma Island, southern Hong Kong Island or Tolo Harbour. Yet Chek Lap Kok was ultimately chosen, and basically comprised the centrepiece of one of the largest airport development projects in the world. However, these days it's facing issues with overcrowding, expansion plans and environmental impact, the latter in particular with the endangerment of Chinese white dolphin breeding waters. These days there are all sorts of debates raging over the expansion of Chek Lap Kok to have a new terminal and third runway, and generally how to handle air traffic in the city.
Yet a friend and I were discussing yesterday and he said that all things considered, Chek Lap Kok is still the best arrangement out of all the options on the table, given geography, development, flight paths and overall impact on the city. The airport is located a good distance away from the city, which removes the curfew that Kai Tak had on flights, as well as one that would probably be imposed on a location closer to the city. It also allowed for the best expansion potential since it is located further away from major shipping lanes or high-rise developments, and avoids Kai Tak's issues since its runways face open water rather than mountains and dense public housing.
So let's consider - what might induce the Hong Kong government to choose a different option to locate the new airport, and what might it look like? Every one of those areas has its own advantages and disadvantages, but is Chek Lap Kok still necessarily the most palatable? Anything ranging from geography to funding to politics can all be issues that could affect the final product.
When Kai Tak was being replaced in the 1980s and 90s, Chek Lap Kok was but one of a few locations put up for consideration for the new airport to be built. Other places included southern Lamma Island, southern Hong Kong Island or Tolo Harbour. Yet Chek Lap Kok was ultimately chosen, and basically comprised the centrepiece of one of the largest airport development projects in the world. However, these days it's facing issues with overcrowding, expansion plans and environmental impact, the latter in particular with the endangerment of Chinese white dolphin breeding waters. These days there are all sorts of debates raging over the expansion of Chek Lap Kok to have a new terminal and third runway, and generally how to handle air traffic in the city.
Yet a friend and I were discussing yesterday and he said that all things considered, Chek Lap Kok is still the best arrangement out of all the options on the table, given geography, development, flight paths and overall impact on the city. The airport is located a good distance away from the city, which removes the curfew that Kai Tak had on flights, as well as one that would probably be imposed on a location closer to the city. It also allowed for the best expansion potential since it is located further away from major shipping lanes or high-rise developments, and avoids Kai Tak's issues since its runways face open water rather than mountains and dense public housing.
So let's consider - what might induce the Hong Kong government to choose a different option to locate the new airport, and what might it look like? Every one of those areas has its own advantages and disadvantages, but is Chek Lap Kok still necessarily the most palatable? Anything ranging from geography to funding to politics can all be issues that could affect the final product.