Hong Kong expects the new easing of some Covid-19 measures in the city to boost air traffic as it opens its borders to non-residents from May 1.

"Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) welcomes the Government's adjustments of the inbound control measures, including adjusting the route-specific flight suspension, lifting the entry restriction for non-Hong Kong residents, and allowing travelers to wait for test results at hotels," AAHK said.

"The adjustments are an appropriate response to air traffic demand while preventing the spread of the epidemic in light of the current situation."

It added that it will facilitate the Hong Kong government's preventive and quarantine measures implemented at Hong Kong International Airport, and will also work with the airport community to prepare for the expected increase of flights and passengers.

From May 1, non-Hong Kong residents who have stayed in overseas places in the last 14 days will be allowed to enter Hong Kong and be subject to the same boarding, seven-day quarantine, and testing arrangements as Hong Kong residents.

The route-specific suspensions will remain, however, if five or more passengers, or 5% of passengers on the same flight, test positive on arrival.

The airline's flights on that route will then be banned from landing in Hong Kong for five days.

"From May 1, non-Hong Kong residents will be allowed to enter Hong Kong from overseas places and the route-specific flight suspension mechanism will be suitably adjusted," the Hong Kong government said on April 22.

As part of its measures to scale back its Covid-19 restrictions in the city, Hong Kong is also set to ease some social distancing measures later this month including allowing people to dine in at restaurants in the evening and lifting restrictions on private gatherings, as the number of COVID-19 infections declined in recent weeks.