SW FB-458 Hong Kong Kai Tak International Airport (1925-1998)

Kai Tak Airport 啟德機場 was the international airport of Hong Kong from 1925 until 1998. It was officially known as Hong Kong International Airport from 1954 to 6 July 1998, when it was closed and replaced by the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok, 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the west. In 2013, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal was opened on the site of the former airport's runway.

With numerous skyscrapers and mountains located to the north and its only runway jutting out into Victoria Harbour, landings at the airport were dramatic to experience and technically demanding for pilots.  As shown in the postcard, planes flying low over Kowloon City while landing or taking off from Kai Tak Airport were daily occurrences. 

 

Personal note:

I remember being with a friend in Mongkok trying to talk above the hum of the streets and the roar of jet engines above. 

This postcard came from Gloria C. (3 February 2015) Swap-bot.