国家发展改革委关于印发《国家级区域规划
- July 6, 1998 — the lights went out for the last time as an army of staff worked overnight on the move to Chek Lap Kok
- The articles below represent part of the Post’s contemporary coverage of the incident
By Rachel Clarke
The lights were turned out at Kai Tak at 1.16 this morning, marking the end of the airport’s 73-year history.
“Goodbye Kai Tak and thank you,” said Director of Civil Aviation Richard Siegel, before throwing the switch.
As the lights went out, hundreds of people worked through the night in a hectic 13-hour operation to move the last pieces of equipment to the new airport at Chek Lap Kok, 35km away.
The last pilot to fly out of Kai Tak was 51-year-old Kim Sharman, making his final flight before retiring.
“I came in for the last time a couple of days ago and all the nostalgia and memories have been flowing back,” said Mr Sharman, who flew CX251 to London, leaving at two minutes past midnight. He had landed at Kai Tak about 4,000 times.