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Transport and Housing Bureau's response to media report
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     In response to the report of today (June 4) about Jetstar Hong Kong's intention to introduce a local shareholder to meet the requirement for operating air services from Hong Kong, the Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) spokesman expressed that any operator who wishes to enter the Hong Kong aviation market to provide air services between Hong Kong and other places must obtain the Air Operator's Certificate, Licence to Operate Scheduled Services Under the Air Transport (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations and the necessary designation.

     Any entity who wishes to establish an airline in Hong Kong must first meet the relevant requirements stipulated under the Basic Law, i.e. to be incorporated in Hong Kong and have its principal place of business in Hong Kong. The spokesman said that when the Government considers an airline's application, the requirements of being incorporated and having its principal place of business in Hong Kong and the airline's shareholding structure are the factors that would be taken into account, but those are not the sole determining factors.

     The spokesman also said that the authority reviews its existing policies at times in order to enhance the relevant arrangements. THB is currently reviewing its regime for designation of local carriers. It will not process any application from new airlines before the completion of the review.

     Prior to obtaining the formal approval from the HKSAR Government to provide air services from Hong Kong, it is an airline's own commercial decisions to make investment or other arrangements and it is the airline's own responsibility to bear the commercial and legal risks involved. In addition, the HKSAR Government will not provide any recommendations to an investor who is interested in setting up an airline in Hong Kong.

Ends/Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:21

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