The scary descent into Hong Kong’s old Kai Tak Airport, which closed in 1998

A passenger plane roars over Kowloon City as it approaches Kai Tak Airport on April 18, 1995. Photo: SCMP/Oliver Tsang

Tight landings and planes swooping in just overhead were a part of everyday life at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport, which closed in July 1998.

If you never experienced the thrill for yourself, relive the glory days of Kai Tak with these pictures.

People take advantage of a Sunday off to watch airliners approaching Kai Tak Airport on June 28, 1998, a week before its closure. Photo: SCMP/Garridge Ho

A passenger plane roars over Kowloon City as it approaches Kai Tak Airport on April 18, 1995. Photo: SCMP/Oliver Tsang

A cargo jet appears to skim the top of a Hong Kong-Yau Ma Tei ferry as it flies over Victoria Harbour near Kai Tak Airport on June 18, 1984. Photo: SCMP/C.Y. Yu

An aeroplane swoops dramatically over the Chinese Christian Cemetery during its final approach to Kai Tak Airport in 1992. Photo: SCMP

Kai Tak Airport’s new terminal building along Prince Edward Road. It was completed in 1962. Photo: SCMP

Passengers arrive in Hong Kong at Kai Tak Airport in 1971. Photo: SCMP

The departure hall in the Freight Terminal, which served as a temporary passenger terminal between September 1959 and November 1962. Photo: SCMP

Two visiting RAF Phantom jet fighters land in Kai Tak Airport on August 28, 1973. Photo: SCMP

 

Kai Tak Airport, seen here in May 1997, was one of the world's closest to a residential district. Photo: SCMP/David Wong

An aircraft descending at Kai Tak Airport on October 28, 1993. Photo: SCMP/Martin Chan

Photography enthusiasts choose a strategic position on the roof of a building in Kowloon City to snap airliners approaching Kai Tak on June 28, 1998. Photo: SCMP/Garridge Ho

Crowds at Kai Tak Airport watching its last hours. Photo: SCMP/Edward Wong

Trails of light made by airplanes taking off and landing at Kai Tak Airport on July 5, 1998, the last day of operations. Photo: SCMP/K.Y. Cheng

The deserted arrival hall at Kai Tak Airport on July 6, 1998, the day after the airport’s closure. Photo: SCMP/David Wong

An aerial view of Kai Tak Airport in 1989. Photo: SCMP/Sam Chan

An aeroplane gets set to land at Kai Tak Airport in July 1989. Photo: SCMP

Crowds of people watch an aeroplane landing from on top of a carpark on June 14, 1998. Photo: SCMP/Dickson Lee

A Cathay Pacific plane landing at Kai Tak. Photo: SCMP

A plane flying over buildings in Kowloon City in March 1973. Photo: SCMP/P.Y. Tang

A plane flying over Kowloon City before landing at Kai Tak Airport on April 18, 1995. Photo: SCMP/Oliver Tsang

Crowds of people watching the airplanes at Kwun Tong Ferry Pier on July 4, 1998. Photo: SCMP/Robert Ng

Kai Tak Airport on June 15, 1998. Photo: SCMP/David Wong

Cathay Pacific’s first Boeing 747 arrives at Kai Tak from the United States on July 31, 1979. Photo: SCMP/P.Y. Tang

A plane near Kai Tak on July 1995. Photo: SCMP/Robert Ng

A Cathay Pacific plane just after taking off at Kai Tak Airport. Photo: SCMP/Robert Ng

Plane-watching in Hong Kong on July 31, 1995. Photo: SCMP/Robert Ng

A plane at Kai Tak Airport on July 31, 1995. Photo: SCMP/Robert Ng