The approval process for the fourth round of applications under the Labour Importation Scheme for the Transport Sector - Aviation Industry has been completed. The Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) issued letters today (August 3) to all applicants on the results.

     The application period for the fourth round of application under the Scheme was from July 2 to 15. A total of 33 companies eligible for quota applications (eligible companies) submitted applications within the period, involving 1 673 labour importation quotas covering nine job types under the Scheme. After assessment by the interdepartmental liaison group comprising representatives from the TLB, the Labour Department and the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics approved a total of 1 366 quotas for all eligible companies concerned, including all 516 applications for contract renewal quotas. In vetting and allocating the quotas, the group has taken into consideration all relevant factors such as the business development needs of the applicants and the requirements of the Scheme (including the requirements of the manning ratio of local staff to imported labour and the conduct of local recruitment). The results with a breakdown by job type of the fourth round of applications are at the Annex.

     Under the Scheme, approved eligible companies have to pay the AAHK $400 per month for each worker imported, while the AAHK will contribute a lump sum in an amount of the same magnitude as the total amount paid by applicants. As driven by the Government and co-ordinated by the AAHK, the relevant payments will continue to be used for subsidising the transportation costs of the local frontline staff responsible for airport operation.

     Upon the conclusion of the fourth round of applications, all 6 300 quotas under the scheme have been approved. The TLB and the AAHK will continue to engage in regular meetings with the stakeholder consultative group to listen to the views of stakeholders on the Scheme. They will continue to enhance information dissemination through the consultative group in order to facilitate the smooth implementation and execution of the Scheme. 
     ​
     Premised on safeguarding the employment of local labour, the Scheme was introduced in July 2023 to allow the aviation industry to suitably import labour with a view to relieving the acute manpower shortage and supporting the continual development of Hong Kong's aviation industry.

Ends/Monday, August 3, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:00

NNNN