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Investigation Initiated into Air Traffic Control Incident at Hong Kong International Airport
Two cargo aircraft experienced reduced separation after simultaneous departures, prompting official inquiry.
On February 27, 2025, at approximately 7:00 am, an air traffic control incident occurred involving two cargo flights departing from Hong Kong International Airport.
An MNG Airlines Airbus A330-300 freighter, operating as flight MB-380 and destined for Turkmenistan, departed from the Centre Runway (Runway 07C).
Concurrently, a Silk Way West Airlines Boeing 777-200 freighter, operating as flight 7L-625 and bound for Baku, Azerbaijan, took off from the South Runway (Runway 07R).
Both aircraft were instructed by air traffic control (ATC) to climb to assigned altitudes of 5,000 feet and 3,000 feet, respectively, to maintain vertical separation.
However, due to variations in the aircrafts' climb rates, the expected vertical separation was not achieved.
Approximately seven nautical miles northeast of the airport, the Boeing 777's traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) issued an alert, prompting the crew to descend to 2,500 feet.
Both flights subsequently continued to their respective destinations without further incident.
The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) has launched an investigation into the occurrence, citing potential non-compliance by ATC personnel with established take-off procedures.
The ATC staff involved have been temporarily reassigned from frontline duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
The CAD has reiterated the importance of adherence to standard operating procedures and has implemented additional measures to reinforce compliance and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) is conducting an independent inquiry into the incident.
The AAIA operates under the Transport and Logistics Bureau and is responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents and incidents in accordance with international standards.
The investigation aims to determine the factors contributing to the loss of separation and to recommend safety enhancements as necessary.
An MNG Airlines Airbus A330-300 freighter, operating as flight MB-380 and destined for Turkmenistan, departed from the Centre Runway (Runway 07C).
Concurrently, a Silk Way West Airlines Boeing 777-200 freighter, operating as flight 7L-625 and bound for Baku, Azerbaijan, took off from the South Runway (Runway 07R).
Both aircraft were instructed by air traffic control (ATC) to climb to assigned altitudes of 5,000 feet and 3,000 feet, respectively, to maintain vertical separation.
However, due to variations in the aircrafts' climb rates, the expected vertical separation was not achieved.
Approximately seven nautical miles northeast of the airport, the Boeing 777's traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) issued an alert, prompting the crew to descend to 2,500 feet.
Both flights subsequently continued to their respective destinations without further incident.
The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) has launched an investigation into the occurrence, citing potential non-compliance by ATC personnel with established take-off procedures.
The ATC staff involved have been temporarily reassigned from frontline duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
The CAD has reiterated the importance of adherence to standard operating procedures and has implemented additional measures to reinforce compliance and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) is conducting an independent inquiry into the incident.
The AAIA operates under the Transport and Logistics Bureau and is responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents and incidents in accordance with international standards.
The investigation aims to determine the factors contributing to the loss of separation and to recommend safety enhancements as necessary.
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