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The Scheme of Airport Charges proposed by the Airport Authority will be gazetted on October 24 and come into force on January 1 next year.
A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said today (October 22), "The changes to be implemented by the Scheme aim to specify the parking charge for aircraft parked in areas other than a parking stand, and to provide for the determination of the maximum take-off weight for the purpose of calculating the landing charge in the event of an airline's failure to provide the flight manual for the concerned aircraft. Moreover, the existing New Destination Incentive Arrangement (the Arrangement) will be extended to December 31, 2009, and improved to encourage airlines to continue to launch new routes."
The spokesman explained, "The changes will have positive economic implications. The extended Arrangement will encourage the airlines to introduce new routes which enhance further the connectivity of Hong Kong. This will in turn benefit our civil aviation and tourism industries and will strengthen our position as an international hub in the region."
The Board of Airline Representatives in Hong Kong has been consulted on the changes. It supports them.
The changes are as follows-
(a) the parking charge for aircraft parked in areas other than a parking stand should be HK$80 per parking unit (15 minutes);
(b) the highest maximum take-off weight of the relevant aircraft type known to the Authority should be used for calculating the landing charge in the event of an airline's failure to provide the flight manual for the aircraft concerned; and
(c) the Arrangement (which will expire on December 31) should be extended and improved to allow the Authority to continue to offer airlines a rebate on the landing charges for flights between Hong Kong and a new destination.
Ends/Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:00
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