Any attempt to select another site to build a permanent aviation fuel facility now may affect the operation of Hong Kong air services, Secretary for Hong Kong Economic Development & Labor Stephen Ip told the legislators Wednesday.

Speaking at the Legislative Council, Ip said the search for a suitable site began in 1991 and more than 10 sites near the airport and Lantau Island have been considered. Tuen Mun Area 38 was finally identified as the most preferred site in 2001.

The extensive site search demonstrates the selected site meets all requirements, Ip said.

Any attempt to select another site now would entail a repetition of the site-selection process. Even if a site could be identified, the Airport Authority would need to seek all necessary statutory approval for the tank farm's construction at the new site.

All these procedures would take considerable time, making it impossible to complete the project by 2009, he said.

This may affect the operation of Hong Kong air services beginning in 2009 since existing fuel-receiving and storage facilities may not have sufficient capacity to ensure the airport's continual operation in the event of a fuel-supply disruption, he said.

He said Jet A1 fuel to be stored in the tank is safer than other fuels such as gasoline and LPG because Jet A1 fuel is more difficult to ignite.

As detailed in the project's environmental impact assessment report, quantitative risk assessments revealed no unacceptable offsite risks, he said, adding a separate study jointly commissioned by the Tuen Mun District Council and Airport Authority has arrived at similar findings.