Hong Kong is extending its relief package for the airport community for another two months to the end of September after already implementing several extensions to its support scheme for the aviation industry with the latest supposed to lapse in July.

In a statement, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) said the new extension is again due to the prolonged impact of Covid-19 on the aviation industry.

Hong Kong is a major passenger and cargo hub but the introduction of restrictions tied to the pandemic has severely impacted the local aviation sector, especially with the lack of domestic operations to prop up performance in the absence of international services.

"Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) continues to support the airport community by extending its relief package for two months to the end of September 2022, in view of the prolonged impact to the aviation industry brought by the Covid-19 pandemic," the Airport Authority said.

Waiver, reduction of fees at HKIA

It said various fee waiver or concession policies supporting the industry will continue from August to September 2022, including full waiver of parking charges for idle passenger aircraft and airbridge fees; reduction of passenger aircraft landing charges; fee reduction related to ramp handling, maintenance, and airside vehicles.

The same goes for rental reduction for terminal tenants covering lounges and offices; fees wavier for terminal licensees including ancillary passenger services, commercial services counters, and cross-border transport operators; and concessions on fees for aviation support services such as into-plane fuelling, aircraft maintenance, and inflight catering services.

AAHK noted, however, that recently, more shops and restaurants in the terminal have re-opened as passenger traffic has increased gradually but base rent for tenants that are open for business continues to be waived as part of the relief package.