Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) announced that flight check has begun for its Third Runway on March 26.

The Airport Authority said it conducted the flight check, in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Department and the Flight Inspection Center of the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

"The pavement works of the Third Runway have been completed,"  the airport authority said. "Related infrastructure facilities including taxiways, airfield ground lighting system, and rescue and firefighting facilities, among others, have been substantially completed."

The flight check is expected to be completed in April with a view to ensuring that related air navigation service equipment, flight procedures, and airfield ground lighting system fully meet the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

"The Third Runway is scheduled to commence operation this year as planned," the airport authority said.

After the expansion, the airport authority earlier said that HKIA — the world’s largest international cargo hub — will be able to handle the targeted annual passenger and cargo volume of around 120 million and 10 million tonnes respectively, enabling Hong Kong to enhance its status as an international aviation hub.

The airport authority is also developing an Airport City, including a logistics centre slated to be completed in phases from 2023 to 2027.