25 Years Later: Reflecting on the Legacy of Hong Kong’s Former Kai Tak Airport

“Farewell, Kai Tak, and thank you for everything.”

It’s been 25 years since Richard Siegel, then Hong Kong’s director of civil aviation, bid a final farewell and switched off the lights at Hong Kong’s iconic Kai Tak International Airport.

On July 6, 1998, the city’s primary airport closed its gates, with all operations moving to the much larger and more modern Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok.

In 2013, the former airport site was repurposed as the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, now the largest cruise terminal in Hong Kong.

The 25-year-old 'new' airport has achieved remarkable success – consistently ranking among the top five airports globally. It has repeatedly claimed the Skytrax World’s Best Airport Dining award and has been the world’s busiest cargo airport every year since 2010, except for 2020.

Still, for those who had the privilege of flying through the original Kai Tak or simply watching its legendary landings, the memories are unforgettable.

A Pilot’s Nightmare

Before it closed in 1998 (with its first recorded flight dating back to 1925), Kai Tak was infamous for being one of the most challenging airports in the world for pilots to navigate.

Located in the heart of Kowloon, with its runway extending into the sea, landing at Kai Tak was a nerve-wracking experience, even for the most seasoned pilots.

Russell Davie, former General Manager of Operations at Cathay Pacific Airways and now a pilot instructor, boasts over 30 years of aviation experience.

He has fond memories of flying into Kai Tak.

'As a pilot, it was truly one-of-a-kind. It was the only major airport worldwide where you had to make a 45-degree turn below 500 feet to align with the runway, flying between towering skyscrapers and passing near the iconic orange-and-white Checkerboard Hill (also known as Kowloon Tsai Hill) before making that final approach,' he shared with Dinogo Travel.

Daryl Chapman, a British teacher and aviation photographer who has lived in Hong Kong since 1987, spent countless hours capturing the stunning sights of massive aircraft gliding over the Hong Kong skyline. (See his photo gallery above.)

'Kai Tak was unlike any other international airport because it was right in the heart of the city,' Chapman recalls. 'Lion Rock, a prominent peak in Hong Kong, obstructed the usual straight-in landing, forcing planes to make that iconic turn over Kowloon City while landing on runway 13.'

'This was a real challenge, especially when the wind picked up,' Davie recalls. 'As Cathay pilots, we had ample practice and became highly skilled at navigating the approach.'

'For pilots from other airlines, the approach could be a daunting task, particularly in tough flying conditions, since they might only land at Kai Tak once a year.'

Scariest moment: 'We never actually saw the plane!'

Chapman reminisces about witnessing planes land at Kai Tak under those 'challenging flying conditions.'

'Watching aircraft come in for a landing during heavy rain from the Kai Tak car park could be quite nerve-wracking,' he says. 'The pilots couldn't see the runway, and when flying over Kowloon, you had to rely solely on visual cues to align with the runway.'

'Some pilots appeared to hesitate longer than others before aborting their landings and attempting again. Others would emerge from the low clouds, power up, and then disappear back into the mist.'

Chapman’s most frightening memory was watching an Air France 747-200 freighter struggle with an incredibly low ceiling.

'We could hear the plane approaching but couldn’t spot its landing lights. It was pitch dark,' he recalls. 'The noise grew louder, and then we saw the red beacon glow beneath the aircraft. It overshot its turn, flew directly over the car park and control tower, and then powered up to go around for another attempt.'

'It was incredibly loud and unsettling, as we could never actually see the plane!'

Nostalgic memories of Kai Tak

While Hong Kong International Airport, much larger and more modern, has been hailed as one of the world’s best since its opening in 1998, there are still those who miss the old Kai Tak.

For 73 years, Kai Tak was Hong Kong’s gateway and became an iconic symbol of the city, recognized by travelers around the globe.

'I have so many fond memories of Kai Tak,' says Davie. 'When I first joined Cathay Pacific, I would often spend hours walking around Kowloon City, especially when hosting visitors. I loved watching the planes fly low over the buildings and bustling shops.'

'The approach from the ground was truly spectacular, and it was equally thrilling as a passenger, especially if you were lucky enough to sit on the right side of the plane.'

Davie’s preferred route was arriving from Japan or Taiwan, coming in from the northeast direction of Hong Kong.

'This route let the pilot first follow the East Lamma shipping channel, before turning around the tip of Hong Kong Island, passing by Green Island, and then heading toward the Checkerboard for the final approach,' he recalls.

'Passengers with a window seat were treated to a stunning view of the southern part of Hong Kong Island, Central, and the harbor, all before making the final descent over Kowloon.'