Chen Meibao: Focus on implementing the five major development goals to consolidate Hong Kong International Airport's leading position in aviation

The Zhitong Finance App learned that in response to lawmakers' questions, the Hong Kong Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Chen Meibao, said that in order to fully unleash the potential of Hong Kong International Airport, the Hong Kong Government will focus on implementing the five major development goals, achieving strategic upgrades, and building a resilient aviation logistics network: first, building an air cargo superchannel; second, leading the efficient operation of pioneering multimodal transport; third, promoting the diversified development of air cargo structures; fourth, deeply integrating and connecting with the supply chain to reshape the new pattern, and; fifth, digitizing air transport processes.

Chen Meibao mentioned that Hong Kong International Airport's cargo volume also remained steady in the first three quarters of this year, rising 3.3% year over year to 3.78 million tonnes. The “Hong Kong First Five-Year Plan” issued by the HKSAR Government also clearly states that every effort will be made to strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international aviation hub, and that “maintaining the world's leading air cargo throughput” is set as one of the primary strategic goals.

The HKSAR Government has always taken the initiative to plan and optimize the allocation of air rights with a “policy-led” mentality. Up to now, it has signed 87 bilateral civil aviation documents. When selecting airline partners, in addition to current traffic volume and economic benefits, we also value their strategic value and future business opportunities. Take resource-rich countries such as Brazil, Peru, and Kazakhstan, which are seeking closer trade ties with other places. Meanwhile, South America, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa also have rich commercial potential to be developed. Through policy guidance, the authorities expand air rights, explore high-potential emerging markets, and inject long-term growth impetus into Hong Kong's international aviation hub.

Through the “Freighter Network Expansion Plan” implemented by the Hong Kong Airport Authority in March this year, airlines are encouraged to increase the number of freighter flights. In just half a year, it has successfully attracted 14 airlines to open a total of 80 additional flights every week. The Authority is also working with the Airport Authority to use air rights arrangements to match other operating incentives to strategically attract foreign airlines and use Hong Kong as their second hub. For example, Qatar Airways Cargo moved its regional headquarters to Hong Kong in August 2026 and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Airport Authority to increase the number of flights and develop more new routes through Hong Kong.

As for traditional markets such as Europe, Hong Kong has now signed bilateral civil aviation arrangements with over 80% of EU member states, including all major member states. In recent years, bilateral civil aviation arrangements have also been updated or expanded with member countries such as Luxembourg and Malta, and new bilateral civil aviation agreements have also been concluded with Poland. The authorities will continue to actively explore the best ways to deepen bilateral relations with EU member states.

At the same time, the results of the SAR government's air rights negotiations must be combined with the business development of the Hong Kong Airport Authority (AA) and the cooperation of airlines to establish an overall “policy, market and operation” coordination mechanism to transform the results into actual network coverage. For example, the first direct service to Kazakhstan offered by a local airline in January next year is a perfect example.

Furthermore, as the world faces the challenge of a shortage of aircraft, Hong Kong's top priority is to rapidly and steadily expand its capacity. The Airport Authority launched the “Aviation Network Expansion Plan” in June 2024 to provide financial incentives for airlines to open new routes, particularly long-haul routes, and enhance existing route services.

By the end of September this year, the plan had successfully attracted 40 airlines to launch 95 new routes covering five continents and increase the number of flights on 15 existing routes. The Airport Authority has also encouraged various foreign airlines to resume routes, and good progress has been made. Among them, Etihad Airways and Delta Air Lines have resumed flight services between Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles, respectively. Earlier, the Airport Authority also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Uzbek Fly Khiva Group to establish a complete passenger and cargo aviation network.

In terms of multimodal transport, the Airport Authority is making every effort to promote the more efficient handling of air cargo from the Greater Bay Area at Hong Kong International Airport at Hong Kong International Airport at the Dongguan Airport Center of Hong Kong International Airport. Since the launch of the pilot program, the total value of goods handled by the center has exceeded RMB 57 billion. As the airport center is put into commercial operation in June next year, it will become a model for cooperation in the Greater Bay Area. It will not only reduce costs and time, but also reflect institutional innovation in various areas in line with mainland resources and international standards at Hong Kong International Airport.