Hong Kong’s iconic Kai Tak Airport, which completed its historical mission in 1998 and officially closed, also marked an important moment in Hong Kong’s history. To commemorate the farewell to Kai Tak Airport after 25 years, Blue Lotus Gallery will present a new joint photography exhibition titled “Goodbye Kai Tak, Thank You”. The exhibition will showcase the works of Canadian photographer Greg Girard and Hong Kong photojournalist Birdy Chu, providing viewers with a unique perspective to explore the history and cultural heritage of Kai Tak Airport.
Right: Birdy Chu, Good old days of Kai Tak, Hong Kong 1998, Courtesy of Blue Lotus Gallery
Blue Lotus Gallery founder Sarah Greene said, “We are delighted to present the ‘Goodbye Kai Tak, Thank You’ photography exhibition as a tribute to the legend and achievements of Kai Tak Airport, as well as its impact on Hong Kong’s cultural identity. Through the works of international and local photographers Greg Girard and Zhu Xun, the exhibition aims to provide a fresh perspective and commemorate the farewell of Kai Tak Airport.”
On the midnight of July 6, 1998, Cathay Pacific Airways CX251, bound for London Heathrow Airport, became the last flight at Kai Tak Airport. Richard Siegel, the then Director of Civil Aviation, broadcasted at the airport before its official closure, saying, “Goodbye Kai Tak, thank you!” The lights on the runway gradually dimmed around 1:20 am, confirming the completion of Kai Tak Airport’s 73-year history.
Since the closure of the airport, the sight of planes flying over the Kowloon Peninsula has become a distant memory, and the deafening sound of engines has become a thing of the past. Even though a new world has been created on the site of the airport, Kai Tak remains an indelible memory in the hearts of most Hong Kong people, leaving a deep imprint on Hong Kong culture that continues to generate widespread discussion and attention.
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Kai Tak Airport, also known as Hong Kong International Airport, was the main airport in Hong Kong from 1925 to 1998 and is an important milestone in Hong Kong’s aviation history. Located in the densely populated Kowloon City area, despite having only one runway, it gradually became one of the busiest airports in Asia over the years. Due to its unique geographical location, pilots had to navigate through a series of hills and buildings and make sharp turns at low altitudes to avoid mountain ridges before landing. This requires highly skilled driving techniques, earning Kai Tak Airport the title of “Top 10 Most Dangerous Airports in the World”.
However, it is precisely this challenge that has made Kai Tak Airport a popular spot for aviation enthusiasts and photographers, capturing the scenes of planes flying over bustling city streets and crowds perfectly through the lenses of Greg Girard and Zhu Xun. With their respective visions, they have documented different aspects of Kai Tak Airport. Even though the airport is long gone, we are fortunate to be able to relive those glorious days through the joint exhibition “Goodbye Kai Tak, Thank You” by these two photographers.
“Goodbye Kai Tak, thank you!”
Date: June 30th to July 30th, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Tuesday to Saturday)
Location: 28 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, Blue Lotus Gallery
Image source and learn more: Blue Lotus Gallery
