Owais Crawford
Hong Kong's old airport, Kai Tak International Airport, was located in the Kowloon region, on the eastern side of Kowloon Bay. It was partly in the sea, with its single runway surrounded by water on three sides. Kai Tak Airport was known for its unique challenges, including its infamous Kai Tak Heart Attack landing approach, which required pilots to navigate a series of sharp turns and descents while avoiding tall buildings and mountainous terrain. The airport played a pivotal role in Hong Kong's development as a tourist destination and international business hub, serving the city for 73 years. However, due to its limited expansion options and the increasing demand for air travel, it was closed in July 1998, and a new, larger airport was built on Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau islands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kai Tak Airport |
| Location | Eastern side of Kowloon Bay in Kowloon, Hong Kong |
| Year of opening | 1925 |
| Year of closing | 1998 |
| Runway | Single runway, numbered 13/31 |
| Runway length | 2,500 m (8,202 ft) |
| Elevation | 16 ft (4.9 m) |
| Passenger volume | Third-largest in the world |
| Freight volume | Largest in the world |
| Successor | Hong Kong International Airport |
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What You'll Learn
Kai Tak Airport's location and expansion
Kai Tak Airport, located in the Kowloon region, holds a special place in aviation history. The airport was situated on the eastern side of Kowloon Bay in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is surrounded by rugged mountains, with hills reaching an elevation of 2,000 ft (610 m) less than 4 km (2.5 mi) to the north and northeast of the former runway 13 threshold. Victoria Harbour lies immediately to the south of the airport, with Hong Kong Island and hills up to 2,100 ft (640 m) further south.
The airport's distinctive runway and the infamous "Kai Tak Heart Attack" landing approach made it one of the world's most challenging airports. The airport evolved from a modest British Royal Air Force airstrip in the 1920s to a bustling commercial airport in the 1930s. It experienced relentless expansion, even during World War II when it primarily served as a military base. During the war, the Japanese army expanded Kai Tak, using many Allied prisoner-of-war labourers to build two concrete runways, 13/31 and 07/25.
After World War II, Kai Tak underwent further expansion and modernisation to meet the growing demand for air travel. In 1954, the government approved a master plan for airport development, and in 1958, a new northwest/southeast runway extending into Kowloon Bay was completed by land reclamation. By 1957, runway 13/31 had been extended to 1,664 metres (5,459 ft), and in 1962, a passenger terminal building was constructed. The airport's famous single runway (Runway 13/31) was extended into Victoria Harbour, posing a unique challenge for pilots and air traffic controllers.
The growth of Hong Kong put a strain on the airport's capacity, and its usage often exceeded its designed capacity of 24 million passengers per year. The expansion of residential areas and the airport resulted in Kai Tak being in close proximity to residential areas, causing serious noise and engine pollution for nearby residents. In the 1970s, concerns were raised about the potential loss of life in the event of a crash, and the limited expansion options available to the airport.
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 Lantau Island. The former airport runway and grounds have since been transformed into a vibrant urban district known as Kai Tak Development (KTD), featuring residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
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The airport's closure
Kai Tak Airport, located in the Kowloon region, was Hong Kong's first airport, serving the city from 1925 until 6 July 1998. The airport was initially located away from residential areas, but as Hong Kong expanded, the airport became engulfed by the city.
By the 1970s, the airport's increasing traffic and the growth of high-density developments around it raised concerns about the potential loss of life should a crash occur. The airport was designed to handle 24 million passengers per year, but in 1996, Kai Tak handled 29.5 million passengers, plus 1.56 million tonnes of freight. The airport's single runway was almost entirely surrounded by water, with residential high-rises and mountains nearby. This posed a unique challenge for pilots, who had to navigate a series of sharp turns and descents while avoiding tall buildings and mountainous terrain.
Due to the lack of space to expand the airport, the only solution was to build a new airport. The new Hong Kong International Airport was built on reclaimed and levelled land around the islands of Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau, 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Kai Tak. The new airport offered more extensive runways, 24-hour operation, and modern facilities.
On 6 July 1998, after serving Hong Kong for over six decades, Kai Tak Airport closed its doors, with all operations moved to the new airport. The retired facility was renamed the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in 2013.
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The new Hong Kong International Airport
The old Kai Tak Airport was located on the eastern side of Kowloon Bay in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The airport was surrounded by rugged mountains, Victoria Harbour, and Hong Kong Island. Its distinctive runway and the infamous "Kai Tak Heart Attack" landing approach made it one of the world's most challenging airports.
In 1998, Kai Tak Airport was replaced by the new Hong Kong International Airport, located on Chek Lap Kok Island, 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of the old airport. The new airport was built on a large artificial island formed by flattening and levelling Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau islands and reclaiming 9.38 square kilometres of land.
The new airport is equipped with advanced safety features, including 14 fire appliances that can respond to incidents within two minutes and a sea rescue operation comprising two high-capacity rescue boats supported by eight speed boats. The airport is connected to inner Hong Kong by the Route 8 highway and various bus and taxi services, providing easy access for passengers and staff.
Hong Kong International Airport has continued to expand and develop since its opening. In 2011, the Airport Authority released a 20-year blueprint for the airport's development, the Hong Kong International Airport Master Plan 2030. The first stage involves the construction of a new 20-gate passenger concourse, with further plans for additional concourses as demand grows.
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The airport's place in aviation history
Kai Tak Airport, located in the Kowloon region, holds a special place in aviation history. It was Hong Kong's international airport from 1925 until 1998, serving the city for 73 years.
The airport was initially a modest British Royal Air Force airstrip in the 1920s, which, over time, grew to include several flying clubs, including the Hong Kong Flying Club, the Far East Flying Training School, and the Aero Club of Hong Kong. These clubs later amalgamated to become the Hong Kong Aviation Club. In 1928, a concrete slipway was built for seaplanes, and in 1935, the first control tower and hangar were constructed.
During World War II, the airport was expanded by the Japanese using Allied prisoner-of-war labour, and it primarily served as a military base. After the war, Kai Tak underwent further expansion to meet the growing demand for air travel. Its famous single runway (Runway 13/31) was extended into Victoria Harbour by reclaiming land, creating a unique challenge for pilots and air traffic controllers.
Kai Tak's runway was surrounded by water on three sides, with residential apartment complexes and mountains over 2,000 feet high nearby. This geography made landings particularly challenging, with pilots having to navigate sharp turns and descents while avoiding tall buildings and mountainous terrain. The approach to Runway 13, known as the "Kai Tak Heart Attack," required pilots to make an approximate 47-degree right turn below 1,000 feet from the ground. The airport's unique challenges and captivating approach have made it a legendary icon in the world of aviation.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Kai Tak became the busiest cargo hub globally and the third busiest for passenger traffic. However, the airport faced challenges due to limited expansion options and noise concerns in the densely populated urban area. As a result, a new airport, the Hong Kong International Airport, was built on Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau in the western part of Hong Kong's New Territories, and Kai Tak closed its doors in July 1998.
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The Kai Tak Development (KTD)
The development of KTD has carefully preserved and integrated the airport's history into the new fabric of the neighbourhood. For instance, the metro station exits at Kai Tak still showcase the fascinating aviation history of the site. The former airport's unique challenges and captivating approach have left an indelible mark on aviation, with its closure offering valuable lessons for cities with airports in densely populated areas.
Kai Tak Airport played a pivotal role in Hong Kong's evolution as a tourist destination and an international business hub. However, the airport faced challenges due to increasing air traffic, limited expansion options, and noise concerns in the surrounding urban areas. The growth of Hong Kong also strained the airport's capacity, as it was designed to handle 24 million passengers annually but exceeded this number in 1996, handling 29.5 million passengers.
The KTD now offers a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, catering to the needs of the growing city. The transformation of the former airport site has created a dynamic and vibrant district that builds upon Hong Kong's rich aviation history while adapting to the evolving demands of the region.
The new Hong Kong International Airport, which replaced Kai Tak, is located on Chek Lap Kok Island, 30 kilometres west of Kai Tak. The new airport, with its extensive runways, 24-hour operation, and modern facilities, has achieved numerous accolades and is frequently named one of the top airports in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
The old Hong Kong airport, Kai Tak International Airport, was located in the Kowloon region.
Kai Tak International Airport closed on 6 July 1998.
Kai Tak International Airport closed due to increasing air traffic and the growth of high-density residential developments around the airport. The airport was designed to handle 24 million passengers per year but in 1996, it handled 29.5 million passengers.
