Policy Statement & Submission

Mr Robert Brothers
Chairman
Hong Kong Regional Heliport Working Group
c/o Sir Elly Kadoorie & Sons Ltd
24/F, St George's Building
Ice House Street, Central
Hong Kong


Dear Mr Brothers,

Thank you for inviting the Chamber to consider the Regional Heliport Working Group's proposal on a four-pad heliport at the Wanchai waterfront. I understand your group has been in touch with members of the Chamber's China Committee and your presentation has been well received. Indeed, the demand for cross border helicopter services can only get bigger, given the ever growing business flow and communication between Hong Kong and the Greater Pearl River Delta.

As you may be aware, the Chamber issued a position paper about a year ago, in which we described a regional heliport as an important “agent of integration” for the Greater Pearl River Delta region. It remains our position to support the development of cross-border helicopter services in the city.

As to your specific proposal of a four-pad heliport at Wanchai, we are aware of two major concerns which may arise from the proposal, namely,
(1) environmental impacts arising from the development – principally the impact on the harbour front and the noise impact; and
(2) integrated harbour planning – that projects on the harbour front must not be planned in isolation but should be integrated with other harbour front developments.

On the understanding that these two issues could be fully and satisfactorily addressed, the Chamber would be prepared to support your proposed four-pad heliport at the central business district.

Yours sincerely



David Eldon
Chairman