Airlines plead for HK government to waive airport fees
Dozens of global airlines are urging the Hong Kong government to relieve their financial pain as travel demand to Hong Kong continues to plunge.
Months-long anti-government protests are taking a toll on airlines’ bottom line and they are seeking airport fee waivers.
The Board of Airline Representatives has asked the government to waive landing and parking fees for airlines, with no end to the protest in sight.
The Board of Airline Representatives represents more than 70 carriers that fly to Hong Kong.
They are also seeking temporary waivers on rent and other operational costs, according to Reuters.
"Already we have seen a double-digit drop in passengers in August compared to last year and we expect this to worsen in the remaining months of the year," wrote BAR chairman Ronald Lam, who is also a senior executive at Cathay Pacific Airways.
Cathay has been hit hardest during the protests and has been singled out by Beijing for allegedly condoning the protests.
Cathay is just one of several airlines which have trimmed their Hong Kong flight schedules, either by cutting capacity or suspending routes.
Cathay saw a double-digit decline in passenger numbers last month.
Other carriers including Qantas and United Airlines have switched to smaller aircraft on Hong Kong routes to reduce costs.
According to its last financial accounts, 16% of Cathay’s operating costs came from airport fees.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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