HKIA tests emergency response in aircraft crash and rescue exercise

2026-03-03

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) held the annual aircraft crash and rescue exercise this morning at the Centre Runway to test the airport’s ability to handle a scenario involving an aircraft incident. Over 1,000 representatives from approximately 20 organisations and government departments joined the exercise, with Greater Bay Airlines as the participating airline. Over 400 volunteers role-played as passengers and families of the affected passengers.

The exercise started at around 0215hrs when a simulated departure flight with 120 passengers aborted takeoff on the Centre Runway, due to an urgent report from the cabin crew regarding smoke emitting from a power bank, under a passenger’s seat. The simulated aircraft's tire burst when it was braking and it veered off the runway. Its landing gear collapsed and then caught fire. Air Traffic Control Tower personnel immediately activated the crash alarm. Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) activated the Airport Emergency Centre to facilitate coordination and communication among various government departments, airport communities and organisations. Emergency services, including the Fire Services Department (FSD) and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), promptly arrived at the incident site to carry out firefighting and rescue, render medical care, convey the casualties, and provide other support.

The handling of fatalities and injured persons was simulated. The injured persons were conveyed to five public hospitals, while those uninjured were transferred to the Passenger Reception Centre at the airport. After immigration and customs clearance, the uninjured passengers were received at the Family Reception Centre set up at the airport for the exercise. Humanitarian assistance and psychological support service were offered by participating non-governmental organisations.

AAHK, the Air Accident Investigation Authority, Greater Bay Airlines, FSD, and HKPF conducted a simulated joint press conference to provide updates on the incident and rescue operations. Approximately 30 students from six local universities role-played as reporters. The exercise stood down at 0600hrs.

Steven Yiu, Executive Director, Airport Operations of AAHK, said, “Safety always comes first at HKIA. As the airport traffic and passenger volumes continue to grow, the exercise provided an essential opportunity for the airport community to assess and enhance its preparedness for contingencies and crisis management. We thank all parties for their participation and making it a successful exercise under the three-runway system operation.”

The crash and rescue exercise was conducted in accordance with aerodrome licensing requirements. HKIA conducts drills, exercises, and training seminars regularly, covering a variety of operational disruption and emergency scenarios, including severe weather, system failures, equipment malfunctions, public health incidents, and security incidents.

Active participants in today’s exercise included (in alphabetical order):

Government departments

Air Accident Investigation Authority
Auxiliary Medical Service
Civil Aid Service
Civil Aviation Department
Customs & Excise Department
Department of Health
Fire Services Department
Home Affairs Department
Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Police Force
Hospital Authority and the following hospitals:
- Kwong Wah Hospital
- North Lantau Hospital
- Princess Margaret Hospital
- Tuen Mun Hospital
- Yan Chai Hospital
- Immigration Department
- Information Services Department