By LIANG TAO, CRI Hong Kong Correspondent

Hong Kong Airport Authority will work with the Civil Aviation Department to maximize runway capacity and will conduct a feasibility study on the construction of a third runway.

The authority's Chief Executive Officer David Pang said the decision will give due consideration to stakeholders' opinions and Hong Kong's long-term competitiveness.

The authority released HKIA 2025, a 20-year plan that guides the Hong Kong International Airport's development.

The authority's Chairman Victor Fung said with mainland's growing global economic influence and Hong Kong's increasing integration with the Mainland, the plan positions the airport as one of the most important gateway hubs of China.

The airport will continue expanding its catchment area into the Pearl River Delta Region and strengthening its network of Mainland and international destinations.

It is estimated that the airport will serve close to 80 million passengers and handle eight million tonnes of cargo and 490,000 aircraft movements per year by 2025.