The Airport Authority said the airport's north runway reopened on Tuesday afternoon and has been kept on standby mode to allow for salvage works.

The runway had been closed a day earlier after a cargo plane veered off the track upon landing and collided with a security patrol vehicle, killing two ground staff.

In a statement, the authority said relevant departments completed collecting evidence at around 4pm on Monday, and it immediately started clean-up and repair work.

"The essential restoration work of the North Runway and its related facilities were also completed early [Tuesday] morning. The [Airport Authority], together with the Civil Aviation Department, inspected the site and confirmed the runway is safe for operations and reopening," it said.

The runway reopened at around 4.20pm.

The authority added that it is coordinating the aircraft's removal operation, which includes contacting its owner and preparing necessary equipment such as large cranes and vessels.

Officials have said they want to remove the cargo plane from the crash site in a week, and transport minister Mable Chan said she hopes a preliminary investigation report would be submitted within a month.