Jazmin Li
Hong Kong's old airport, Kai Tak International Airport, was located on the eastern side of Kowloon Bay in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The airport, which opened in 1925, was initially located far away from residential areas, but as Hong Kong expanded, the airport became enveloped by the city. By the 1970s, concerns arose about the potential safety hazards and capacity constraints of Kai Tak Airport. In 1998, Kai Tak was replaced by the new Hong Kong International Airport, located on the island of Chek Lap Kok. The new airport was built on reclaimed and levelled land, providing more space and accommodating multiple runways for efficient round-the-clock operations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kai Tak Airport |
| Former Names | Hong Kong International Airport, Kai Tak, Kai Tak International Airport |
| Location | Eastern side of Kowloon Bay in Kowloon, Hong Kong |
| Year Opened | 1925 |
| Year Closed | 1998 |
| Reason for Closure | Capacity, Safety Concerns, Lack of Space |
| Replacement Airport | Chek Lap Kok International Airport |
| Replacement Airport Location | 30 km west of Kai Tak, on reclaimed and levelled land around the islands of Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau |
| Airlines | Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, Air Hong Kong, Hong Kong Airways, RAF Kai Tak, Hong Kong Aviation Club |
| Runway | 13/31 |
| Runway Length | 3,390 metres |
| Runway Lights | Unique lighting pattern due to the tight, curved approach |
| Passenger Traffic | 29.5 million in 1996 |
| International Ranking (1996) | 3rd busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic, 1st in terms of international cargo throughput |
| Cargo Throughput | 1.56 million tonnes in 1996 |
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What You'll Learn
Hong Kong International Airport replaced Kai Tak Airport in 1998
Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport, which first opened in 1925, was replaced by the Hong Kong International Airport in 1998. The old airport was located on the eastern side of Kowloon Bay in Kowloon, Hong Kong, and was surrounded by rugged mountains and the Victoria Harbour.
The new airport, officially known as the Hong Kong International Airport, is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of its predecessor. The relocation was necessary due to several factors. Firstly, Kai Tak Airport was operating beyond its designed capacity, handling 29.5 million passengers and 1.56 million tonnes of freight in 1996, despite being designed for only 24 million annual passengers. Secondly, the airport's location posed safety concerns due to the surrounding residential areas and challenging approach for aircraft. The infamous "Kai Tak Heart Attack" manoeuvre required pilots to make a 47-degree right-handed U-turn at a low altitude to line up with Runway 13, which was considered extremely difficult and dangerous.
The construction of the new airport began in 1991 as part of the Airport Core Programme, which included other projects such as a high-speed airport railway system and a new town. The new airport officially opened on July 6, 1998, with all essential airport supplies and vehicles being transported from Kai Tak in a single early morning move, escorted by the police. The new airport features one of the world's largest passenger terminal buildings and has become one of the busiest airports in the world in terms of passenger and cargo traffic.
Kai Tak Airport left a lasting legacy, with its hotel still standing today and the retired facility being rechristened as the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in 2013.
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Kai Tak was Hong Kong's first airport hotel
Kai Tak Airport, officially known as Hong Kong International Airport, was in operation from 1925 until 6 July 1998. It was located in the densely built-up Kowloon City District, with a single runway extending into Kowloon Bay. The airport was surrounded by rugged mountains, with hills less than 4km to the north and northeast, and Victoria Harbour to the south.
The airport was known for its challenging approach, with pilots having to make a 47-degree right-handed U-turn at less than 1000 feet to line up with Runway 13. This manoeuvre, known as the "Kai Tak Heart Attack", was necessary to avoid a hill. The airport was also known for its unique lighting pattern, which was designed to guide pilots through the tight, curved approach.
By the 1970s, concerns were raised about the potential safety risks of the airport's location, as well as its limited capacity. The airport was handling more passengers and freight than it was designed for, and the surrounding residential areas had expanded, increasing the risk of accidents.
In 1989, the Hong Kong government announced plans to construct a new airport at Chek Lap Kok, located on a purpose-built island in the harbour. The new airport opened on 6 July 1998, and Kai Tak was officially retired. The new airport featured a larger passenger terminal and two runways, allowing it to accommodate more traffic than its predecessor.
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Kai Tak was located in a densely populated area
Kai Tak Airport, officially known as Hong Kong International Airport, was located in a densely populated area of Kowloon City. The airport was surrounded by rugged mountains to the north and northeast, Victoria Harbour to the south, and Kowloon Bay to the east.
The airport's location presented several challenges for pilots. Aircraft could not fly over the mountains and had to approach the airport from the north, flying above Victoria Harbour and Kowloon City. This meant that planes flew very close to residential apartment complexes, and passengers could see into people's homes through their apartment windows.
The unique geography of the area also meant that Runway 13/31, which was in use when the airport closed, required a challenging approach. Pilots had to make a 47-degree right-handed U-turn at less than 1000 feet to line up with the runway and land. This manoeuvre, known as the "Kai Tak Heart Attack", was considered very dangerous, especially in low visibility conditions due to heavy rain.
Due to the airport's location in a densely populated area, there were concerns about the potential loss of life in the event of a crash. The airport was operating beyond its designed capacity, handling 29.5 million passengers in 1996, and there were also concerns about the height of nearby buildings.
As a result of these challenges, a new airport was built on reclaimed and levelled land around the islands of Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau, 30 kilometres west of Kai Tak. The new Hong Kong International Airport opened in 1998, and Kai Tak was retired after 73 years of service.
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Kai Tak was surrounded by rugged mountains
Kai Tak Airport was Hong Kong's international airport from 1925 until 1998. The airport was located on the eastern side of Kowloon Bay in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Kai Tak was surrounded by rugged mountains—a range of hills reaching elevations of up to 2,000 feet (610 m) were located less than 4 km (2.5 mi) to the north and northeast of the airport. To the east, hills rose to similar heights less than 3 km (1.9 mi) away. To the south of the airport was Victoria Harbour, and further south was Hong Kong Island, with hills up to 2,100 feet (640 m).
The challenging geography of the area meant that aircraft could not fly over the mountains and quickly drop in for a final approach. Instead, they had to fly above Victoria Harbour and Kowloon City, passing north of Bishop Hill. This meant that planes would fly extremely close to the densely populated Kowloon City, and locals on the ground could see into the apartments of Kowloon City.
The rugged terrain surrounding Kai Tak Airport also contributed to its reputation as one of the world's most challenging and terrifying airports to fly into. Runway 13, in particular, was known for its challenging approach, which involved a 47-degree right-handed U-turn at less than 1,000 feet in altitude to line up with the runway.
By the 1970s, concerns were raised about the potential safety risks of the airport's location, as well as its limited capacity to handle the increasing air traffic into Hong Kong. In 1996, Kai Tak handled 29.5 million passengers and 1.56 million tonnes of freight, exceeding its designed capacity. In 1998, the airport was replaced by the new Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok, located on a purpose-built island in the harbour.
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Kai Tak was one of the world's busiest airports
Kai Tak Airport was one of the world's busiest airports. In 1996, it was the third busiest airport in the world in terms of international passenger traffic, handling 29.5 million international passengers. It was also the busiest in terms of international cargo throughput, with 1.56 million tonnes of freight passing through.
The airport was located on the eastern side of Kowloon Bay in Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was surrounded by rugged mountains and water on three sides. The airport's single runway was extended several times, eventually reaching 11,122 feet in length by 1998.
Kai Tak's unique location and challenging landing conditions made it one of the world's most difficult airports for pilots to navigate. The airport was known for its iconic Runway 13 (or 13/31), which required pilots to make a series of sharp turns and descents while avoiding tall buildings and mountainous terrain. The runway was surrounded by high-rise residential buildings, leading to serious noise and engine pollution for nearby residents.
As Hong Kong grew and demand for air travel increased, the airport's capacity came under strain. The airport was designed to handle 24 million passengers per year, but this figure was exceeded, and there were limited options for expansion due to the surrounding terrain and urban areas. In the late 1980s, the Hong Kong Government began searching for alternative locations for a new airport to replace the aging and constrained Kai Tak.
In July 1998, after serving Hong Kong for over six decades, Kai Tak Airport was closed, and operations were relocated to the newly built Hong Kong International Airport on Chek Lap Kok island. The closure of Kai Tak marked the end of an era, with the airport holding a special place in aviation history and remaining fondly remembered by many.
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Frequently asked questions
The old airport was called Kai Tak Airport.
Kai Tak Airport closed on 6 July 1998 after 73 years of service.
Kai Tak Airport was located in the densely built-up Kowloon City District. As the city expanded, the airport became surrounded by residential areas, leading to concerns about the potential loss of life should a crash occur. The airport was also operating beyond its capacity, handling 29.5 million passengers in 1996, exceeding its designed capacity of 24 million.
G: The airport supplies and vehicles were moved to the new airport at Chek Lap Kok overnight. The old airport was renamed Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in 2013, becoming the largest cruise terminal in Hong Kong.
