The Three-runway System (3RS) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) was commissioned on November 28, marking a new milestone in Hong Kong's aviation development as it seeks to meet long-term air traffic demand in the region and beyond.

As all three runways began operating simultaneously, HKIA would have expanded capacity, further strengthening its position as a major international aviation hub.

HKIA's target is to handle 10 million tonnes of cargo and serve 120 million passengers annually in about 10 years from now.

The airport — the world's busiest cargo hub — has a current cargo capacity of 5 million tonnes per year.

Fred Lam, chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), noted that the 3RS will significantly enhance the airport's overall capacity, further expanding our extensive air traffic network and consolidating our position as an international aviation hub.

"The commissioning of the 3RS will provide impetus for the Airport City development and support Hong Kong's economic growth. Leveraging Hong Kong's unique strengths, the Airport City will be a world-leading new landmark, attracting visitors from all around the world and driving Hong Kong's economic development," he said.

Construction works of 3RS started in August 2016. The new North Runway was officially commissioned in November 2022.

Since then, HKIA has continued to operate with two runways, with the Centre Runway temporarily closed for reconfiguration.

The reconfiguration works include re-levelling the runway pavement to tie in with connecting taxiways, constructing new runway entry and exit taxiways, building new wrap-around taxiways at both ends of the runway, and more.

After the reconfiguration works were completed, the flight check and aircraft crash and rescue exercise were completed on the Centre Runway in September and October, respectively.

The announcement said that after all three runways start operating simultaneously, the number of aircraft take-offs and landings at HKIA will gradually increase to meet air traffic demand.

Meanwhile, during the commissioning ceremony, John KC Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said HKIA is an important gateway to the world for Hong Kong and the entire Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, playing a strategic role in the area's social and economic development.

"The three-runway system of HKIA has been completed and is now in operation, carrying passengers from around the country and cargo to more destinations and providing more options for global passenger and cargo flow into the Mainland, which is particularly significant," Lee said in his address.