The authority鈥檚 airport operations deputy director CK Ng said that stands that can cater for new types of aircraft with longer fuselages, such as the B747-8F freighter, have been planned at the west apron.
Construction at the 430,000m2 site is slated to start mid-year in two phases, he said.
In the first phase, nine aircraft parking stands and supporting facilities will be built, including connecting the western airfield tunnel to the cargo area. This is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.
The second phase, which includes the construction of the remaining seven stands, should be completed by the end of 2014.
The west apron development will accommodate the airport's expected growth in aircraft traffic as the Civil Aviation Department gradually raises the hourly handling capacity of the airport's two runways from the current 62 flights an hour to 68 by 2015.
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