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Opened in 1998, the offshore International Airport at Hong Kong provided a new, efficient and modern way of welcoming the world.

Built on 1,255 hectares of land reclaimed from the sea, the airport now accommodates 47 million passengers a year.

Now, the man 'who was instrumental' in the Airports development; Doug Oakervee has been picked to lead the Greater London Authority's feasibility study into whether the success in Hong Kong can be replicated here in London.

Room for more?

Offshore

The GLA's ongoing study into whether an offshore airport could be built in the Thames Estuary is being handled by the Mayor's Deputy Kit Malthouse.

Mr Malthouse said: 鈥淚 look forward to working with Doug, who has been one of the driving forces behind Crossrail and who will be able to give us the best possible advice.鈥�

Heathrow handles more than 500,000 flights a year but its owner says the airport is "jam-packed" and needs a new runway to be able to compete with other major airports in Europe.

Feasibility

So, the business case for another Airport to help ease the pressure on Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and City Airport could be significant.

Provisional findings suggest that construction is "technically feasible" and according to the Mayor's office would "be likely to contribute to the regeneration of the Thames Gateway."

The Mayor's Director of Transport Kulveer Ranger said the conclusion of the study "will be based on thorough and detailed analysis and will be crucial in aiding a final decision on the feasibility of an airport in the Thames Estuary."

Planes

'Fantasy idea'

The decision to push ahead with a feasibility study was criticised earlier in the year, when the then Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly called the suggestion a 'fantasy idea.'

Speaking in September, Kelly said a Thames Estuary airport was "opportunistic" and would prove "environmentally disastrous".

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