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In response to the report submitted to the Government by the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) today (April 25) regarding the handling of an unattended baggage at the Hong Kong International Airport on March 27 and 28, the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, issued the following statement:
"On airport security, the report pointed out that, after its discovery in the departure hall, the cabin baggage concerned passed explosive trace detection; the ownership of the baggage was verified; before entering the departure restricted area, the baggage underwent security screening, which met the requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization before its return to the owner; and, according to the requirements of relevant authorities of the destination country of the flight, the cabin baggage was also security screened at the boarding gate before the owner boarded the aircraft.
I also noted the report (para. 3.6) pointed out that AA has established procedures to handle lost property. There are precedents of providing courtesy delivery of found property, after undergoing necessary security screening, from the landside to its established owner in the Airport Restricted Area. The report pointed out that 517 courtesy deliveries of items were recorded from March 2015 to March 2016.
The Chief Executive reiterated that neither he nor his family have exercised any privilege or breached the airport security requirements during the incident."
Ends/Monday, April 25, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:59
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