On December 14, the Board of Airport Authority Hong Kong announced the appointment of Stanley Hui Hon-chung as Chief Executive Officer. The appointment, which was unanimously endorsed by the Board and approved by the Chief Executive of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is effective 1 February 2007. Mr Hui succeeds Dr David J Pang, who has been CEO since January 2001.

Commenting on the appointment, Airport Authority Hong Kong Chairman Dr Victor Fung Kwok-king said, "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Dr Pang for his invaluable contributions to Hong Kong International Airport's growth and success. Under Dr Pang's leadership, we have established a presence in the Chinese Mainland and have been regularly recognised as the world's best airport in passenger surveys and by industry associations and trade publications. Passenger and cargo throughput grew significantly and our financial performance continued to improve.

"We are very pleased that Mr Hui is joining us at this important stage in our development, as we enhance our role as a regional aviation hub and an essential gateway of the Mainland while ensuring that we are ready to meet new challenges and opportunities."

Mr Hui will be responsible for the overall operation of HKIA and its related infrastructure, and for ensuring the airport conducts its business according to prudent commercial principles, runs with maximum efficiency and complies with the strictest safety and security standards. Mr Hui will also implement HKIA's strategic plan, which focuses on maintaining the airport's competitiveness and contribution to Hong Kong's economic development.

"Mr Hui's 30-plus years of aviation experience and deep knowledge of the Chinese Mainland and the region are important assets. I am confident that under his direction, we will continue to strengthen our leadership position in airport management and aviation-related businesses and contribute to Hong Kong's long-term prosperity," concluded Dr Fung.

Mr Hui, 56, began his aviation career in 1975 when he joined Cathay Pacific Airways, where he held a range of management positions. In 1990, He was appointed General Manager, Planning and International Affairs of Dragonair. In 1992, he became the Chief Representative of John Swire & Sons (China) in Beijing. From 1994 to 1997, Mr Hui was the Chief Operating Officer of AHK Air Hong Kong. Mr Hui subsequently left Cathay Pacific in 1997 to join Dragonair as Chief Executive Officer, a post that he held for over nine years until August 2006. He is currently a Director of China National Aviation Corporation (Group).

Photograph: Mr Stanley Hui, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong, with his term effective 1 February 2007.