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The decision by the governments of Japan and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to remove frequency and capacity limits on air services between Hong Kong and almost all points in Japan (except those in Tokyo) was a "big bang" that would boost economic and trade relations between the two places.
The remarks were made by the HKSAR Government's Principal Economic and Trade Representative in Tokyo, Mrs Jennie Chok, during a briefing session on the economic benefits of the new Hong Kong¡VJapan air services arrangement signed in Hong Kong yesterday (January 31). The briefing was attended by a large number of representatives from the media, tourism and logistics sectors who were keen to get firsthand information on the business opportunities to be provided by the new arrangement.
Mrs Chok said the new arrangement would allow airlines of Japan and Hong Kong to add frequency and develop new routes promptly in response to market demand. "The timely availability of more air transportation services will not only release pent-up demand, but will stimulate new economic activities,¡¨ Mrs Chok said.
"Just as the capacity of air services is now unlimited, the potential for further development of economic exchanges are also unlimited."
At present, the HKSAR government has concluded Air Services Agreements with 58 aviation authorities all over the world.
Welcoming the new arrangement, the Airport Management Director of the Hong Kong Airport Authority (HKAA), Mr Howard Eng, said the new arrangement was expected to further boost air traffic between Japan and Hong Kong, and make it easier for Japanese travellers to take advantage of the Hong Kong International Airport's comprehensive aviation network to connect to destinations world-wide.
Pointing out that the Hong Kong International Airport was voted "the World's Best Airport" six times in the last seven years, Mr Eng said the HKAA would continue its ongoing efforts to expand the facilities of the Hong Kong International Airport to ensure that travellers got the best possible services.
The Regional Director, North Asia, of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Kunio Kano, commented that the new arrangement would certainly be a boost to the business of the travel industries both in Japan and in Hong Kong. "I anticipate the number of visitors between Hong Kong and Japan to continue to grow with the increase of more direct flights resulting from the liberalisation of air services," Mr Kano said.
The Director, Japan, of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Shigemi Furuta, said the new arrangement would facilitate the building of closer connection between Hong Kong and more cities in Japan, providing more opportunities for expansion of business and trade activities. "The inadequacy of direct flights had been inhibiting active air traffic flow. With this new arrangement, Japanese companies and business organisations would increase their exchanges with Hong Kong," Ms Furuta said.
Also attending the briefing session were representatives from Hong Kong based airlines. Sales and Marketing Manager Japan of Cathay Pacific Airways Mr Stephen Wong said: "This is a significant development and we thank both the Hong Kong SAR Government and Japan Government for their hard work. As Hong Kong's home carrier we welcome any opportunities which may arise from the new agreement and we applaud the Government's commitment to seek an increase in the air services between Hong Kong and Tokyo in the future."
Mr Tadakazu Inagaki representing Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express described the liberalised air services arrangement as one that would present "golden opportunities" for airlines to develop new routes linking Hong Kong with more cities in Japan, and to increase frequency on existing, heavy demand routes.
Ends/Friday, February 1, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:38
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