Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) announced here Monday that it has signed a consultancy contract with Ove Arup Partners Hong Kong Ltd. (Arup) to enhance the capacity of the airport's baggage handling system.

The new contract, worth HK$30 million (US$3.8 million), added HKIA's baggage handling system upgrading efforts to value at about HK$700 million (US$90 million)

Meanwhile, HKIA has planned to replace existing X-ray machines with more advanced technology equipped with multi-view screening function, which is expected to be completed by 2009, said Howard Eng, Airport Authority's Airport Management Director.

"As an important engine of economic growth of Hong Kong, HKIA is committed to enhancing its facilities and capacity slightly ahead of being just-in-time so as to capture the growth and to sustain HKIA's status as a leading regional and international aviation hub," Eng said.

HKIA has earmarked a total of HK$4.5 billion (US$577 million) for a series of enhancement projects to capture and cater for the anticipated growth of passenger and cargo volume, including the baggage handling system enhancement, cargo apron expansion, construction of satellite concourse and renovation of the arrivals central concourse at the passenger terminal.

With the HK$4.5 billion enhancement works in full swing, Eng said the multi-billion projects will reconfirm HKIA's strong commitment to provide excellent services and facilities to the people of Hong Kong and travelers worldwide.

Eng added that HKIA will continue making significant investments to enhance its facility and capacity in order to meet and exceed customers' expectation and to maintain HKIA's competitiveness.

Operating 70 offices in 32 countries, Arup is a global engineering design consulting firm that takes part in many of the world's most innovative and sustainable buildings, transport, energy and other infrastructure projects.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2006)