Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and Groupe ADP yesterday signed two memorandums of understanding (MOU) on strengthening cooperation between Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport in airport management, aviation development and air cargo development.
The two MOUs on airport management and aviation development, and cargo development were signed by Fred Lam, Chief Executive Officer, AAHK, and Augustin de Romanet, Chairman & CEO of Groupe ADP, at the Paris Air Forum.
Mr Lam said, “We are delighted to strengthen our connection with Paris CDG Airport, which is a key European hub and one of the world’s busiest airports. Through this collaboration, we hope to construct a mutually beneficial partnership that will help both parties continuously enhance airport operations and development in various areas. I believe that by sharing experiences and working together hand in hand, we can offer even better airport experiences and services to our respective passengers and the logistics sectors, as well as elevate the competitiveness of our airports.”
Augustin de Romanet said, “Groupe ADP is proud to announce today a global partnership between Paris CDG Airport and HKIA: two of the most prominent airports in Europe and in Asia. By sharing their experiences and best practices as well as exchanging staff, we will definitely increase our performances in terms of quality of service, productivity, safety, security and environment protection. We are also very proud to partner with HKIA on the development of aviation industry talents and to explore new opportunity in Mainland China. On cargo, each airport will benefit for best practices and from developments of high value activities such as luxury products and e-commerce.”
Currently, an average of 44 flights fly between HKIA and CDG every week. In 2017, these flights carried more than 480,000 passengers and 39,700 tonnes of cargo between the two cities.
Under the MOU on airport management and aviation development, the two airports will cooperate to improve performance in efficiency, safety, security, quality and environmental protection. They also agreed to enhance network connectivity and share experiences through a staff exchange programme to further support talent development. Both airports will also explore opportunities to join forces in Mainland China.
The MOU on air cargo development aims to strengthen the cooperation between HKIA and CDG, as well as between Asia and Europe. It targets to promote and facilitate the transport of fast-growing cargo segments such as e-commerce, temperature-controlled goods as well as luxury products. Both airports will share experience, best practices and information of common interest to enhance safety, security, reliability and efficiency of air cargo development. The two airports have also attained IATA CEIV Pharma certification, a global standard on competency and preparedness in handling pharmaceuticals.
During the event, another MOU was also signed detailing sponsorships that will enable a second batch of civil aviation staff from countries looking for capacity building in aviation to participate in the Advanced Master in Air Transport Management Programme (the Programme), which is jointly delivered by the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy (HKIAA) and Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC, or National School of Civil Aviation of France).
Building on the Protocol of Cooperation on Capacity Building and Safety Enhancement in Civil Aviation for countries in the Southeast Asian region signed by the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC, or the French Civil Aviation Authority) in June last year and echoing the No Country Left Behind campaign of the International Civil Aviation Organization, the MOU represents sector-wide commitment to support the Programme by continuing the sponsorship arrangement of the first cohort to the second cohort, which is targeted to commence in early 2019. These arrangements also demonstrate the HKIAA’s efforts in fostering Hong Kong as an international aviation training hub.
Signatories of the MOU included Mr Lam and representatives from sponsors including ENAC, Cathay Pacific Airways, DGAC, Groupe ADP, Hong Kong Airlines Limited and Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Limited.
