Policy Address

(D) International Aviation Hub

123. Connecting with more than 200 destinations worldwide, Hong Kong saw an increase of over 60% in the number of passenger and cargo flights over the past two years. We will continue to leverage the opportunities brought by the Three-Runway System at the HKIA and increase the number of long-haul and transit routes, reinforcing Hong Kong's top global ranking for cargo throughput and our advantages of being the GBA's transit hub.

Accelerate the Expansion of Aviation Network

124. Over the past two years, Hong Kong has expanded bilateral air services arrangements with more than 10 aviation partners, leading to an increase in flights to and from Australia and Turkey. We also reached a consensus with Chile last month, laying the foundation to establish a new air services agreement. We will encourage local and non-local airlines to operate more flights and work to forge more new air services agreements and expand traffic rights with South America, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East as our priority target regions.

Improve the Greater Bay Area's Intermodal Network

125. Starting in October, we will expand exemptions from the Air Passenger Departure Tax to include passengers travelling to Hong Kong for transit by sea or land. The AAHK will also expand the city terminal network in the Mainland, and improve land transport connections under "Fly-Via-Zhuhai-Hong Kong", extending the service to more Mainland cities.