CX747 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 4385 posts, RR: 5 Reply 1, posted (13 years 8 months 4 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 687 times:
They closed down Kai Tak because it was bursting at the seems and couldn't handle anymore traffic. If you look at photographs of this airport you will see the airplanes piled close to one another on the tarmac with little room to spare. Chek Lap Kok offers room for growth and so on. I personally feel that they should have kept Kai Tak open for business jets and the likes. Kind of like Teterboro New Jersey.
"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." D. Eisenhower
SQ1 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (13 years 8 months 4 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 678 times:
I feel the same way as CX747. Any plan that would have allowed flight activities to continue into Kai Tak would have been great.
The saddest thing is that they will now tear down the whole place and make it into a new residential estate. I guess with the chronic need for land in HK, they can't afford the luxury of a downtown regional/biz jet airport.
Kaitak From Ireland, joined Aug 1999, 11948 posts, RR: 37 Reply 3, posted (13 years 8 months 4 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 650 times:
I guess I should really put in my two pence worth on this one!! Of course, it was bursting at the seams, but GOD, how I loved that place! I don't think there will ever be a better place for taking photos than Kai Tak. I remember when the end was near and CLK was being delayed; I used to be delighted at each and every delay in the opening. There was even talk of a crack in one of the runways, which I hoped would delay things a good few months/years. No chance of a seaquake, though!
To me, and with all due respect to Singapore, Kai Tak encapsulated the difference between SIN and HKG. It was Hong Kong - exciting, feverish activity, a little messy and untidy, but NEVER boring. (AND I'M NOT SAYING SINGAPORE IS!!) Changi on the other hand is perfect - beautiful, open space, neat and tidy etc. And that's great, but given the choice, it was always Kai Tak for me.
Yes, I know it's long. I just had to get it off my chest!!*sniffle*
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