Date of Issue : 5 Jul 1998
Postmark : Hong Kong
Denomination : HK$5.00
Stamp Size : 45 mm x 28 mm
Paper : Unwatermarked
Printing Process : Photogravure
The final landing of an aircraft at Kai Tak Airport on 5 Jul 1998 marked the end of an era that remains deeply etched in Hong Kong's memory. Kai Tak Airport served as Hong Kong's international gateway from 1936 to 1998 and played a vital role in the territory's rise as a global trading and aviation hub. One of the most interesting facts about Kai Tak was its dramatic "Checkerboard Approach", where pilots had to make a sharp low altitude turn shortly before landing, often flying remarkably close to surrounding buildings. Honouring the closure of the airport, the miniature sheet on the commemorative cover traces Kai Tak's transformation from its early years to its final days. The HK$5.00 stamp on the miniature sheet is based on the 40c stamp from the Aviation in Hong Kong series issued in 1984, featuring an early passenger aircraft alongside aviation heritage landmarks, reflecting the development of civil aviation in Hong Kong.