The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and Zhuhai Municipal Government have signed the "Zhuhai Municipal Government and AAHK Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding" (MoU) to strengthen the cooperation between Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Zhuhai, in a bid to develop the aviation industry in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Under the MoU's framework, the key collaboration projects include the launch of "Fly-Via-Zhuhai-HK" passenger link services, the development of international cargo business, the establishment of a high-end aviation industrial park in Zhuhai, and active discussion on equity injection into Zhuhai Airport.

In a statement, AAHK noted that the Hong Kong and Zhuhai airports will leverage the strengths of their respective air networks and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) to expand their customer base and further enhance competitiveness.

With "Fly-Via-Zhuhai-HK" providing seamless service, mainland China passengers travelling on HZMB can reach worldwide destinations conveniently via HKIA, while HKIA's passengers can also travel to mainland cities via Zhuhai Airport.

It added that through jointly developing the high-end aviation industrial park in Zhuhai, the two sides will collaborate on establishing a centre for aircraft maintenance, retrofit and configuration; a centre for aircraft parts and accessories production and distribution; a centre for aircraft engineering training and professional research, and other projects.

"With strong support from the Central Government and Guangdong Provincial Government in capturing opportunities for integrated development between the Mainland and Hong Kong, the deepened cooperation between the two airports will give full play to the respective advantages of Hong Kong and Zhuhai, as well as leverage the convenience brought by HZMB, achieving mutual benefits," said Jack So, chairman of AAHK.

"Both sides will join hands in developing a high-end aviation industrial park, bringing international partners to Zhuhai and creating an important new collaboration platform for Guangdong and Hong Kong to promote the development of the aviation industry," So added, noting that the collaboration will boost the demand for logistics and air cargo services, and provide service to the whole country and worldwide.

The MoU was signed on November 9 by Qin Chun, vice mayor of Zhuhai City, and Vivian Cheung, executive director, of Airport Operations of AAHK, at a ceremony held at the 14th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, witnessed by Liang Shijie, secretary of the party committee and deputy director general of central south regional administration, Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Huang Zhihao, mayor of Zhuhai City; Yang Chuan, executive vice mayor of Zhuhai City; and Wen Hua, secretary general of Zhuhai Municipal Government, were also present at the signing.

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Jack So, chairman of AAHK; Liu Chun-san, undersecretary for Transport and Logistics; and Fred Lam, chief executive officer of AAHK, witnessed the signing via simultaneous videoconferencing.