Major airlines with operations in Hong Kong yesterday began a concerted push to limit fee rises at the new Chek Lap Kok airport in a meeting with senior aviation officials.
A two-day meeting of the User Charges Board sub-committee of the International Air Transport Association began yesterday and continues today.
Such meetings are held every two months, but current talks have taken on added significance amid growing speculation about the extent of fee rises once the new airport opens in just over 18 months.
Airline representatives met on Monday to decide on a united stand on fees and other issues.
China National Aviation Corporation - which this year took a dominant stake in Hong Kong Dragon Airlines (Dragonair) - is understood to have made its first appearance at such a meeting, underlining the significance of the discussions.
Also represented are Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, British Airways and other major carriers operating in the region.