Civil Aviation Chief Victor Liu Promotes Sustainability and Collaboration in Portugal and Germany Visit

DGCA visits Portugal and Germany

The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu, commenced his five-day visit to Portugal and Germany on May 12, during that he attended the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) annual Leadership Summit and Airspace World 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal.

These two global events brought together leaders from the civil aviation industry worldwide. Mr Liu was invited to speak in an expert panel, where he shared his insights on driving sustainability in aviation. He highlighted the rapid growth of the Asia Pacific region in civil aviation and emphasised the importance of strengthening collaborations among states/administrations, air navigation services providers (ANSPs), and the industry; and making use of innovative technologies to achieve the environmental goals, sustainable development and efficient operations. Mr Liu also shared the Civil Aviation Department (CAD)'s experiences in implementing various environmental measures and the latest technologies, as well as fostering collaboration with various ANSPs and stakeholders. Another member of the CAD's delegation also spoke in an expert panel on the theme of digital transformation in aviation.

During the event, Mr Liu met with the Director General of CANSO, Mr Simon Hocquard, and discussed on various topics on mutual co-operation, including the "Airspace Asia Pacific 2025", a large-scale international exhibition and conference event dedicated to air traffic development and management, which will be held in the Asia Pacific region for the first time. The event will take place in Hong Kong, as an international aviation hub, this December. Taking the opportunity, Mr Liu gave an interview with CANSO to further promote the event. In addition, Mr Liu met with the Director General of EUROCONTROL, Mr Raúl Medina, to exchange views on strengthening mutual co-operation on civil aviation fields and explore further co-operation opportunities.

After that, Mr Liu continued his visit in Germany on May 15. During the stay, he visited the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in Cologne, Germany, where he met with the EASA's Executive Director, Mr Florian Guillermet, to discuss the latest development in aviation and explore further collaboration between the two civil aviation authorities on regulations related to aviation safety and new initiatives, such as low-altitude economy and advanced air mobility. This visit underscores Hong Kong's commitment to strengthening international partnerships and aligning with global aviation standards.

Mr Liu then paid a technical visit to the Airbus facility in Hamburg, Germany on May 16, to learn about the latest advancements in aircraft manufacturing and maintenance technologies, and sustainable aviation development.

Accompanying Mr Liu to Germany was the Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation (Flight Standards), Mr Michael Yuen.

Mr Liu will depart for Hong Kong today (May 17).

DGCA visits Portugal and Germany Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DGCA visits Portugal and Germany Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DGCA visits Portugal and Germany Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness

The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) successfully completed a joint short-range Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise today (January 12) in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island.

The exercise involved eight government departments and one search and rescue unit, namely CAD, the Government Flying Service (GFS), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Marine Department (MD), the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Garrison) respectively.

Today's exercise simulated a helicopter crashing into the sea near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island. With the concerted efforts of helicopters and vessels dispatched by the Garrison, the GFS, the HKPF, and the FSD, all three people on board were rescued. The exercise lasted one hour, mobilising around 100 personnel from the participating units.

A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Department said, "In accordance with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization, CAD regularly organises Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercises to strengthen co-operation and co-ordination among relevant search and rescue units and promote technical exchanges. This is to ensure a rapid and effective response in the event of an emergency."

This Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise is divided into two parts: a short-range search and rescue exercise conducted today in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island; and a long-range search and rescue exercise to be conducted tomorrow (January 13) in the South China Sea, approximately 50 nautical miles south of Hong Kong. CAD, together with the GFS, the MD, the Garrison, the Nanhai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China, and the Guangdong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, will jointly deploy fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and ships to conduct the search and rescue tasks. The entire long-range exercise is expected to be completed in around three hours.

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases