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The Scheme of Airport Charges proposed by the Airport Authority will be gazetted on October 16 and come into force on January 1 next year.
A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said today (October 14), "The Scheme aims to extend the existing New Destination Incentive Arrangement to December 31, 2010, to encourage airlines to continue to launch new routes."
The spokesman explained, "The extended Arrangement will continue to encourage airlines to introduce new routes that 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 and it supports the Scheme.
The Arrangement will expire on December 31. Under the extended Arrangement, the Authority will continue to offer airlines a 75% rebate on the landing charges for flights between Hong Kong and a new destination during the first six months of operation and a 25% rebate in the following six months.
Ends/Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:50
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