***********************************************************
The Scheme of Airport Charges proposed by the Airport Authority will be gazetted on October 19 and come into force on January 1 next year.
A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said today (October 16), "The Scheme aims to extend the existing New Destination Incentive Arrangement for two years to December 31, 2014, to encourage airlines to continue to launch new routes. The opportunity is also taken to increase the parking charges for the Business Aviation Designated Apron Area."
"The extended Arrangement will encourage the airlines to introduce new routes which further enhance 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. As regards the parking charges for the Business Aviation Designated Apron Area, the adjustment is based on the 'user pays' principle, taking into account the capital cost of providing the parking stand, the maintenance cost and the estimated chargeable hours."
The Board of Airline Representatives in Hong Kong (which represents most of the airlines operating in Hong Kong) and the Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre (which is the operator of the business aviation facility at the airport) have been consulted. The Board of Airline Representatives in Hong Kong supported the extension of the New Destination Incentive Arrangement while the Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre did not raise objections to the increase in parking charges for business aviation.
The existing Arrangement will expire on December 31, 2012. Under the extended Arrangement, the Authority will continue to offer airlines a 75 per cent rebate on landing charges for flights between Hong Kong and a new destination for the first six months after the route is launched, and a 25 per cent rebate for the next six months.
The parking charges for the Business Aviation Designated Apron Area have not been adjusted since the airport opened in 1998 and are very low compared to other parking areas at HKIA. The parking charges will be increased in phases based on the user pays principle.
Ends/Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:30
NNNN
