CE visits France's aerospace and aviation hub (with photos/video)

     The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, today (June 7, Toulouse time) started his official visit to France in Toulouse, an important aerospace and aviation centre in Europe. As Hong Kong presses ahead with the construction of the third runway system for the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), Mr Leung hopes to draw inspiration from Toulouse's rich experience in aerospace and aviation industries.

     Mr Leung first met with the President of Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées Region, Mrs Carole Delga, to learn about Toulouse's latest developments in aviation, engineering, innovation and technology. He then addressed a luncheon hosted by the Regional Council to introduce Hong Kong's "super-connector" role as a regional hub in aviation and logistics. He shared with the guests Hong Kong's latest developments in enhancing transport connectivity and services, including large-scale infrastructure projects in the pipeline and the development of high value-added services. He also highlighted Hong Kong's efforts in promoting innovation and technology, and welcomed further co-operation between Hong Kong and France in this regard.

     In the afternoon, Mr Leung will visit Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile (National School of Civil Aviation). The School is France's only university dedicated to aviation studies, and Europe's largest aeronautics and civil aviation university. Mr Leung hopes that the visit will give insights to Hong Kong's civil aviation academy in training aviation practitioners.

     Mr Leung will also tour Airbus, a global aircraft manufacturer that provides almost 60 per cent of aircrafts operated by five Hong Kong airlines. He looks forward to more collaboration on air services between Hong Kong and Airbus. 

     After the visit, Mr Leung will speak at a dinner hosted by Cathay Pacific and Airbus. Cathay Pacific recently received its first A350 aircraft from Airbus in Hong Kong and 47 more will come to join its fleet. Mr Leung will highlight Hong Kong's drive to expand its reach as a major aviation hub, including building the third runway system at the HKIA, supporting aviation education and promoting offshore aircraft leasing.

Ends/Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:25
The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung (second right), meets with the President of Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées Region, Mrs Carole Delga (first left), in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time) to learn about Toulouse's latest developments in aviation, engineering, innovation and technology. Accompanying Mr Leung are the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung (third right), and the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang (first right). From left: the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; the President of Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées Region, Mrs Carole Delga; the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung; the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Edward Yau, in a group photo before their meeting in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time). The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, speaks at a luncheon hosted by the Regional Council of Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées Region, in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time). The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, visited Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile (ENAC) (National School of Civil Aviation) in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time). Picture shows Mr Leung (second left); the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung (first left); the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang (third left); and Hong Kong student delegates listening to a presentation by the ENAC. The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung (first right); the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung (second right); and Hong Kong student delegates visit the Human Machine Interface laboratory at Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile (National School of Civil Aviation) in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time). The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung (first left); and the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung (third right), visit the air traffic control simulator at Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile (National School of Civil Aviation) in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time).
The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung (second left); the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung (first left); and the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang (third left), visit the pilot training simulator at Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile (National School of Civil Aviation) in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time). The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, visited Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile (National School of Civil Aviation) in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time). Picture shows Mr Leung trying out the pilot training simulator. The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, visited Airbus in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time). Picture shows (from right) the Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific, Mr Ivan Chu; the Senior Vice-President, Head of A350 XWB Programme of Airbus, Mr Patrick Piedrafita; Mr Leung and the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Eric Berti; touring the final assembly line at Airbus. The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, visited Airbus in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time). Picture shows Mr Leung (right) exchanging views with the Senior Vice-President, Head of A350 XWB Programme of Airbus, Mr Patrick Piedrafita. The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung (back row, ninth right); the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung (back row, eleventh right); the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang (back row, seventh right); and Hong Kong student delegates at Airbus in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time). The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung (second right); the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung (third right); the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Eric Berti (second left) ; and the Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific, Mr Ivan Chu (first left); touring the mock-up centre at Airbus in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time).
The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung (right), visits the mock-up centre at Airbus in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time). The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung (right), visits the mock-up centre at Airbus in Toulouse, France, today (June 7, Toulouse time).
Video（MP4 Format）
CE meets with President of Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées Region, France:     Video  
CE attends luncheon in Toulouse hosted by Regional Council of Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées Region     Video  
CE visits Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile in Toulouse     Video