Gallery: Remembering Thrilling Landings at Kai Tak Airport

Rob Finlayson June 11, 2021
Credit: Rob Finlayson

An Alitalia MD-11 making its right-hand turn at the checkerboard, somewhat lower than was normal.

Credit: Rob Finlayson

A workhorse for Cathay Pacific for many years at Kai Tak, was the Lockheed Tristar, shot from the roof of some council flats.

Credit: Rob Finlayson

The FedEx MD-11 was a regular sight, every afternoon at Kai Tak.

Credit: Rob Finlayson

A Northwest Boeing 747-200 rotates off runway 31, offering a different view of the airport.

Credit: Rob Finlayson

A Qantas Boeing 747-400 on short final over the busy Kai Tak ramp, operating the daily Sydney Hong Kong service.

Credit: Rob Finlayson

A Korean Air Cargo Boeing 747 freighter banks to the right as it passes the buildings of Hong Kong.

Credit: Rob Finlayson

Air cargo was a big operation at Kai Tak, this image shows a lineup of Classic Boeing 747 freighters at the cargo terminal.

Credit: Rob Finlayson

A Gulf Air Boeing 767-300 banking on short finals, operating from Bangkok.

Credit: Rob Finlayson

Dragonair initially began operations into secondary Chinese cities using Boeing 737-200s.

Credit: Rob Finlayson

A Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-300 shown arriving late afternoon. The car park roof in the background was a popular spot to watch the aircraft on approach and landing.

Credit: Rob Finlayson

A crowd gathers on the car park roof on July 5, 1998, to view some of the last flights at Kai Tak Airport.

Kai Tak Airport was the international airport of Hong Kong from 1925-1998. It was well known for its hair-raising aircraft landings, making it a favorite of aviation photographers and crowds alike.

Kai Tak—built on reclaimed land in Kowloon Bay opposite Hong Kong Island—was surrounded by mountainous terrain, water and eventually high-rise buildings. 

Landings were technically demanding for pilots, as they could not use aircraft instruments to land. Who could forget the checkerboard approach, with the tight right-hand turn to line up for runway 13 (aka “Kai Tak heart attack”), and passengers at the right-hand windows looking right into people’s lounge rooms?

It was pleasing to learn recently that the famous Checkerboard Hill itself was being renovated.

The airport was closed in 1998 to make way for the current Hong Kong International Airport, at the safer Chek Lap Kok island location.
 

Aviation Week Intelligence Network
Monitor the market and connect your business to the people, programs and proprietary data driving the Commercial Aviation market - only available with AWIN.

AVD_AWIN_270

Stay Connected.
Stay Informed.
Grow Your Business.

Learn How