Hong Kong High celebrates more than a century of aviation development in Hong Kong from 1911 to 2014- from the historic first flight of the fragile Forman biplane to the robust aviation industry of today - updating the fascinating history of aviation begun in Wings Over Hong Kong published by Odyssey Books & Maps in 1998.
Hong Kong High covers the early years - the introduction of commercial air transport in the 1930s that transformed Hong Kong into a major crossroads of international commerce and travel - pioneered by Imperial Airways, Pan American Airways, China National Aviation Corporation and Air France.
Although commercial services were interrupted by the Pacific War and the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong from 1941 to 1945, they were quickly re-established following the end of hostilities.
The rapid post-war growth of aviation in Hong Kong was lead by the establishment of Hong Kong's own airline, Cathay Pacific, in 1946. From humble beginnings with a single war-surplus C-47 named "Betsy", Cathay Pacific has today grown into one of the world's major international carriers.
Hong Kong High covers, in detail, the history and development of Kai Tak airport, the move to the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok in 1998 and the subsequent expansion of commercial air transport elevating Hong Kong over the past 15 years to its current position as the region's pivotal aviation hub - today handling more air freight than any other airport in the world and connected to more than 170 destinations across the globe.
Hong Kong High provides 1 76 fact-filled pages in a lively and readable bilingual English and Chinese format with more than 200 historical photographs, illustrations, and original maps. Part 1, features an in-depth coverage of Hong Kong's first flight by Charles Van den Born in his Forman biplane, the inside story of building the Farman replica in 1997 and the reenactment of the first flight. Part 2 presents a concise history of Hong Kong's first 100+ years of aviation, featuring the aircraft, the events and the personalities that made it happen. Part 3 highlights Cathay Pacific's own success story from 1946 to the present - along with that of subsidiaries Dragonair and Air Hong Kong - which is intimately interwoven with Hong Kong's own success as Asia's World City and gateway to China.