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

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

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.

The Hong Kong government has since eased restrictions in the city — the most recent being the dropping of hotel quarantine rules for entry into the hub after more than two years of strict pandemic controls. 

"Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) continues to support the airport community by extending its relief package for two months to the end of November 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 October to November 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.

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.

Base rent for tenants in the terminal that are open for business also continues to be waived as part of the relief package and rental is waived for retail and catering tenants that have suspended business.

"As the Government eases quarantine requirements for inbound travellers, AAHK will review the relief measures taking into account the business environment," AAHK said.