Aviation history of Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
The first privately owned airport in Hong Kong was located in Sha Tin
. On 18 March 1911, the aeroplane of the Belgian
pilot, Charles den Bron, successfully took off at the airport in Sha Tin on an aeroplane named Spirit of Sha Tin . It was the first aeroplane that took off in Hong Kong
. A replica of the aircraft is hung at Chep Lap Kok airport above the arrivals hall.
began. The location of Kai Tak belonged to two billionaires Ho Kai and Au Tak
, who owned the land before the government acquired the land (the land originally did not have a name), which explains the name of the airport. First planned as an estate site, the land was given to the government after the plan failed. It soon became a small airport
for the Royal Air Force
, flying clubs and pilot training centre.
The first domestic airline company was set up in 1936.
In 1962 the passenger terminal was completed, and Kai Tak became an international airport, renamed Hong Kong International Airport. But it remains popularly known as Kai Tak Airport.
The old airport at Kai Tak finally retired at midnight 5 July 1998, and the new Hong Kong International Airport
at Chek Lap Kok
, 30 km to the west of Kai Tak, began in service in the morning of the following day.
Many aviation enthusiasts were upset with the demise of Kai Tak because of the unique approach. As private aviation is not allowed at Chek Lap Kok, some enthusiasts had lobbied to keep around 1km of the Kai Tak runway for private aviation.
Sha Tin
Sha Tin, also spelled Shatin, is an area around the Shing Mun River in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Sha Tin District.-Geography:...
. On 18 March 1911, the aeroplane of the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
pilot, Charles den Bron, successfully took off at the airport in Sha Tin on an aeroplane named Spirit of Sha Tin . It was the first aeroplane that took off in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. A replica of the aircraft is hung at Chep Lap Kok airport above the arrivals hall.
Kai Tak
The year 1924 was a critical point of aviation history of Hong Kong, when the story of Kai TakKai Tak Airport
Kai Tak Airport was the international airport of Hong Kong from 1925 until 1998. It was officially known as the Hong Kong International Airport from 1954 to 6 July 1998, when it was closed and replaced by the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok, 30 km to the west...
began. The location of Kai Tak belonged to two billionaires Ho Kai and Au Tak
Au Tak
Au Tak , or Au Chak-mun , was a Hong Kong entrepreneur. He was the proprietor of a furniture shop and the property developers in Central District on Hong Kong Island. He was used to the director of Tung Wah Hospital....
, who owned the land before the government acquired the land (the land originally did not have a name), which explains the name of the airport. First planned as an estate site, the land was given to the government after the plan failed. It soon became a small airport
RAF Kai Tak
RAF Kai Tak was a Royal Air Force station in Hong Kong. It was opened in 1927 and used for seaplanes. The RAF flight operated a few land based aircraft as well as having spare aircraft for naval units.-History:...
for the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, flying clubs and pilot training centre.
The first domestic airline company was set up in 1936.
In 1962 the passenger terminal was completed, and Kai Tak became an international airport, renamed Hong Kong International Airport. But it remains popularly known as Kai Tak Airport.
The old airport at Kai Tak finally retired at midnight 5 July 1998, and the new Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...
at Chek Lap Kok
Chek Lap Kok
Chek Lap Kok was an island in the western waters of Hong Kong. Together with the smaller Lam Chau, it was leveled and merged via land reclamation into the platform for the current Hong Kong International Airport, which opened for commercial operations in 1998...
, 30 km to the west of Kai Tak, began in service in the morning of the following day.
Many aviation enthusiasts were upset with the demise of Kai Tak because of the unique approach. As private aviation is not allowed at Chek Lap Kok, some enthusiasts had lobbied to keep around 1km of the Kai Tak runway for private aviation.
See also
- Sha Tin AirfieldSha Tin AirfieldSha Tin Airfield was a small military airfield in Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, which had a single concrete runway. The airfield was located along the Shing Mun River and looked out to Tide Cove...
- Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air ForceRoyal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air ForceThe Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force was an auxiliary unit of the United Kingdom Royal Air Force, based in Hong Kong. In preparation for the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China, the unit was disbanded on 1 April 1993.Although technically an armed...
- List of airports in Hong Kong