The Rise and Fall of Kai Tak: Hong Kong's Heart-Stopping Airport

For over seven decades, Kai Tak Airport served as Hong Kong's primary gateway to the world, earning a reputation as one of the most challenging and thrilling airports for pilots and passengers alike. From its humble beginnings to its dramatic final approach, Kai Tak left an indelible mark on aviation history and Hong Kong's landscape.

The Birth of a Legend

Kai Tak's story began in 1912 when two businessmen, Ho Kai and Au Tak, purchased land in Kowloon for development. Their venture failed, but the land found a new purpose as an airfield. In 1924, the Abbott School of Aviation opened on the site, marking the beginning of Kai Tak's aviation legacy.

The Infamous Checkerboard Approach

A Landing That Tested Pilots' Skills

What made Kai Tak truly legendary was its notorious Runway 13 approach, nicknamed the "Kai Tak Heart Attack." Pilots had to perform a hair-raising 47-degree turn at low altitude, guided by a giant checkerboard painted on a hillside. This maneuver brought planes precariously close to densely populated areas, offering passengers a view directly into apartment windows.

Trivia and Fascinating Facts

  • Kai Tak's single runway was extended into Victoria Harbour, making it one of the few airports in the world where landing felt like touching down on an aircraft carrier.
  • The airport's proximity to urban areas meant strict noise regulations. All flights were prohibited between 11:30 PM and 6:30 AM.
  • In its final years, Kai Tak was the third busiest airport in the world for international passenger traffic and the busiest for cargo.
  • The last commercial flight to depart Kai Tak was Cathay Pacific Flight 251 to London on July 6, 1998, at 12:02 AM.

Kai Tak Today: A New Chapter

From Runways to Urban Oasis

After Kai Tak's closure in 1998, the site lay dormant for years. Today, it's undergoing a massive transformation as part of the Kai Tak Development project. Here's what you'll find on the former airport grounds:

 

  1. Kai Tak Cruise Terminal: Opened in 2013, this Foster + Partners-designed terminal now welcomes luxury cruise ships where planes once landed.
  2. Kai Tak Sports Park: A 50,000-seat stadium is nearing completion, set to become Hong Kong's premier sports and entertainment venue.
  3. Residential and Commercial Districts: The area is being developed into a new urban center, with plans for housing 150,000 residents.
  4. Metro Connectivity: New MTR stations have opened, connecting the area to Hong Kong's efficient public transport network.
  5. Kai Tak River: The former nullah is being transformed into a green corridor, improving the area's ecology and providing public spaces.

 

While the heart-stopping landings are now a thing of the past, Kai Tak's legacy lives on in aviation lore and in the memories of those who experienced its unique approach. The ongoing development ensures that this historic site will continue to play a crucial role in Hong Kong's future, transforming from a gateway to the skies into a vibrant community hub.


As Hong Kong moves forward, the Kai Tak Development project stands as a testament to the city's ability to reinvent itself, turning a legendary airport into a modern urban district that honors its past while embracing the future.

Kai Tak Airport
Former international airport in Hong Kong

 

Operational period
1925-1998

 

Location
Kowloon, Hong Kong

 

Known for
Technically demanding approach and ranked as the sixth-most dangerous airport by The History Channel program 'Most Extreme Airports'.