HK TO EXTEND RELIEF MEASURES FOR AIRLINES, GROUND HANDLING UNTIL DECEMBER

Hong Kong Airport Authority (AA) announced it plans to extend the relief measures it introduced in March for operators at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), including airlines and ground handling companies, among others, until the end of the year, due to

the continued impact of the coronavirus.

 

“Airport Authority Hong Kong is extending the relief package for the airport community for another two months to the end of December 2020, in response to the ongoing challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said in a statement. 

 

AA said the waiver or reduction of various fees for the aviation industry announced in August this year will continue from November to December 2020.

 

Full waiver of idle aircraft parking charge, airbridge fees

 

The continuing relief measures include a full waiver of parking charge for idle passenger aircraft and airbridge fees; reduction of passenger aircraft landing charges; fees reduction related to ramp handling, maintenance and airside vehicles.

 

Rental reduction for terminal tenants covering lounges and offices; fees waiver for terminal licensees including ancillary passenger services, commercial services counters and cross-border transport operators; and concessions on franchise fees for aviation support services such as into-plane fuelling will also continue. 

 

The full waiver on fees in relation to aircraft maintenance charges and fixed charges for inflight catering services will continue until the end of December, it added. The rental relief for retail and catering tenants will also continue. 

 

The relief measures for the aviation industry forms part of the HK$1 billion (US$129 million) package earlier allocated for the airport community which has been heavily impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Measures for the aviation industry will be worth around HK$630 million (US$81.27 million), according to an earlier statement from the Airport Authority.

 

“AA will closely monitor the operating environment and provide necessary assistance to the airport community during these challenging times,” it added.