COVID-19 relief package launched by Airport Authority Hong Kong

With support from the government, Airport Authority Hong Kong has announced the launch of a HK$1 billion relief package for the airport industry to support the sector amidst the ongoing impacts being experienced as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The relief package consists of a government waiver of HK$670 million in Air Traffic Control Charges to the Airport Authority for the year 2019/20, which will be passed on in full to the airport community, as well as a sum of HK$330 million from the Airport Authority itself. The effective period of different measures is from February to June 2020, targeting three main groups: The aviation industry, airport staff and airport retail tenants and restaurants.

Measures for the aviation industry will be worth approximately HK$630 million. Airlines have been given a full waiver for five months on parking and airbridge fees for idle passenger aircraft, and a 40 per cent reduction of passenger aircraft landing charges for four months, among other relief measures for airlines covering ramp handling, maintenance and airside vehicle-related fees. In addition, a full waiver of commercial service counter licence fees, in-terminal service licence fees, and fees paid by cross-border transport operators will be provided for four months.

Rental of offices and lounges in the terminal and franchise fees for aviation support services – including aircraft catering, into-plane fuelling and maintenance, as well as cargo terminal services – will be reduced by 10 per cent to 50 per cent for three to four months. Rental relief totaling HK$320 million will be provided to airport shops and restaurants paying a fixed rent. The rental concession will be 70 per cent for three months from March to May 2020 and 50 per cent in June 2020, as increased support from the 20 per cent fixed rental discount starting in October 2019.

A total of HK$50 million has been dedicated to providing training allowance to frontline airport staff who are on no-pay leave, with a view to encouraging staff to enhance competencies and skills, with the sum benefitting up to 25,000 staff.