On January 11, the Airport Authority Hong Kong staged the first-ever annual emergency exercise conducted on land that is outside the airport restricted area to continuously improve the airport community's ability to efficiently manage a major crisis.

With more than 1000 participants and 200 observers from over 30 organisations, the drill allowed the Airport Authority, government departments, hospitals, emergency services and business partners to test and enhance their crisis management procedures, communication and co-ordination processes, and personnel and equipment performance in a crash scenario.

Code-named DeSoto, the exercise started at 0600 hrs and simulated a British Airways passenger flight undershooting Runway 25 (North Runway), landing in the marshalling area of AsiaWorld-Expo and breaking into several large sections. The Boeing 747 aircraft had 120 passengers and 18 crew members on board.

Emergency services reached the site within five minutes after the incident took place. The first casualties arrived at Princess Margaret Hospital at 0701 hrs, while the last one arrived at 0815 hrs.

Airport Management Director Howard Eng expressed his gratitude to the people and organisations that participated in the simulation. "Every year we hold more than 30 drills to test the effectiveness of our contingency plans. In the days ahead, we will conduct an in-depth review of today's exercise to ensure we learn as much as possible from it and continue to strengthen all aspects of our emergency preparedness."

This was the first time that British Airways played the role of operating airline in the annual exercise, which is co-ordinated by the Airport Authority. British Airways and its ground handling agent, Jardine Aviation Services, provided ground staff and communication support, and managed the Family Reception Centre, which offered information and assistance to family members of people injured in the incident.

Participating Organisations:

Government Departments
- Airport Fire Contingent
- Airport Port Health Office / Department of Health
- Auxiliary Medical Service
- Civil Aid Services
- Civil Aviation Department
- Customs & Excise Department
- Fire Services Department (NT South West); Ambulance Command (NT South)
- Home Affairs Department
- Hong Kong Police Force (Airport District)
- Hong Kong Police Force (NT South)
- Hospital Authority
- Immigration Department

Hospitals
- Caritas Medical Centre
- Princess Margaret Hospital
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital
- Tuen Mun Hospital
- Yan Chai Hospital

Business Partners
- Airline's Line Maintenance Franchisee - CASL
- Airport Chaplaincy
- Airside Bus Franchisee - HAS
- AsiaWorld-Expo
- Aviation Security Co. Ltd. (AVSECO)
- British Airways / Jardine Aviation Services
- Raffles Medical Group
- Regal Airport Hotel

Other Organisations
- Red Cross
- St. John Ambulance