Hong Kong started flight operations on its third runway on Thursday, with officials saying it will keep the city's airport competitive as an aviation hub despite its lagging post-pandemic recovery. Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific said this week that it will reach 100 percent of pre-pandemic flights in January.

Hong Kong airport has formally commissioned its three-runway system, capping nearly a decade of work to boost capacity.

Hong Kong International Airport has started simultaneous three-runway operations for the first time allowing more aircraft to take off and land together.

Three-runway system . The airport's three-runway system, worth $18 billion, took 13 years to complete, from the initiation of public consultation to full operational status. The a

City leader says aviation capacity must ‘soar’, but challenges remain for carriers as long-haul market recovery drags on amid Russia-Ukraine war.

One of Hong Kong's largest infrastructure projects in recent years, the three-runway system involved the 3,800-meter third runway, an expansion of Terminal 2 passenger building, a new concourse, an automated people mover system, and a baggage handling system. The third runway was put into operation in July 2022.

Hong Kong International Airport is the world's busiest cargo airport, but has fallen from its pre-pandemic status as the third busiest for international seats

Hong Kong International will soon be adding around 30% more runway capacity, just as Cathay Pacific reaches 100% of pre-COVID traffic.

Hong Kong’s third airport runway officially starts operating on Thursday, but there’ll be hardly any additional flight capacity for at least another year.