British Airways (BA) chairman and HSBC Holdings board member Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge has urged the Government to reduce landing charges at Chek Lap Kok or risk losing business to Singapore's Changi airport.
Lord Marshall is the most senior international airline executive to criticise the Government's stance on landing charges to date. His comments mark the latest development in a growing row over the issue.
'They [fees] are high by international standards and this is clearly an issue which the Hong Kong authorities have to face up to.
'It is a competitive world market and if you really want to attract more air services then you have to price accordingly.
'When you see Chek Lap Kok charges double those of Changi in Singapore then if there is any discretion on the part of airlines they are going to go where it is less costly.' BA is a member of the oneworld airline alliance alongside Cathay Pacific, American Airlines, Canadian Airlines and Qantas.
The debate over landing fees at the new airport has intensified as the economic situation in Hong Kong has worsened, with the SAR's flag carrier Cathay Pacific leading calls for a reduction.
Its arguments have been backed by an increasing number of politicians and business organisations who argue the Government's alleged intransigence undermines the wider economy as well as the SAR's claim to be the region's premier business hub.
