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Following is a question by the Hon David Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (November 17):
Question:
Regarding SkyPier at the Hong Kong International Airport, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective responsibilities of the government departments concerned and the Airport Authority regarding policies relating to and the operation of SkyPier;
(b) whether the Government has conducted any study on the impact of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on the operation of SkyPier ferry services; if so, of the results; and
(c) whether the Government will consider permitting non-transit passengers, particularly residents in Tung Chung, Tsing Yi and Discovery Bay, to benefit from the SkyPier ferry services; if not, of the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
(a) The Government has granted land at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) under the relevant land grant. Under the Airport Authority Ordinance (Cap 483), AA has to operate and develop HKIA in accordance with the objective of maintaining Hong Kong's status as a centre of international and regional aviation, and conduct its business according to prudent commercial principles and having regard to safety, security, economy and operational efficiency.
The SkyPier at HKIA provides speedy ferry services for air-to-sea/sea-to-air transit passengers travelling to and from the Pearl River Delta (PRD) and Macao. Transit passengers with a valid air ticket or counterfoil of the boarding pass, a valid ferry ticket and a valid travel document can, on the day of arriving at the airport, take a ferry at the SkyPier travelling to and from PRD or Macao, without going through immigration procedures at the airport.
The SkyPier, a facility of AA, is located within the Airport Restricted Area. AA shall operate the SkyPier in accordance with the Deed of Security signed with the Government in order to meet the security requirements for transit passengers and baggage.
(b) & (c) In 2008 and 2009, AA looked into a proposal of providing customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) facilities at the SkyPier. After considering the relevant factors (including the economic situation at that time, cross-strait direct flights and the impact of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on the estimated service demand), AA has concluded that the provision of the CIQ facilities will not increase the usage of the SkyPier services by transit passengers. AA has therefore decided not to pursue the proposal. The Government considers that given the SkyPier's uniqueness, i.e. to satisfy air passengers' needs for cross-boundary transport services, we do not plan at present to allow non-transit passengers to use the SkyPier services.
Ends/Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:11
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