CHINA (HONG KONG). Airport Authority Hong Kong is extending the relief measures for its commercial and airline partners by two months into July and August. The move came as the airport company revealed a -99.4% fall in May passenger traffic.
The relief plan, initially announced in February, covered partners across the airport until June. This support will now be extended due to the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As reported, relief totalling HK$320 million (US$41.3 million) was provided to airport shops and restaurants paying a fixed rent. The rental concession was 70% for three months from March to May, and 50% in June, as stepped-up support from the 20% fixed rental discount starting last October.
Airlines will benefit from an extension of the full waiver of parking and airbridge fees for idle passenger aircraft, the reduction of passenger aircraft landing charges and the cut on fees related to ramp handling and airside maintenance through to August.
Terminal tenants in lounges and offices have been given an extended rental reduction. The full waiver for inflight catering services will also be effective for the further two months.
Airport Authority Hong Kong said 35,000 passengers travelled through the airport in May. In the first five months of the year, the airport handled 8.2 million passengers, a -73.8% year-on-year decline.
