Explainer | Hong Kong has halted its Covid flight suspension mechanism. Here’s what the shift means for travellers and airlines

Mechanism was suspended with immediate effect on Thursday, with airlines temporarily banned under the measure allowed to fly to Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s flagship carrier Cathay Pacific also welcomed government’s decision, saying the policy shift will help to minimise any inconvenience for passengers

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Cathay has welcomed the government’s decision. Photo: Robert Ng

Published: 10:00am, 8 Jul 2022Updated: 10:15am, 8 Jul 2022

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In the first major policy shift under new leader John Lee Ka-chiu, Hong Kong has halted a policy which suspends airlines from flying routes to the city if they exceed a threshold for carrying coronavirus-infected passengers.

The government admitted the policy, which had been blamed for travel chaos, had caused “unnecessary disturbances” to travellers and could do little to keep Covid-19 out.

The Post takes a look at what the change means.

1. What are the new arrangements?

The flight suspension mechanism was suspended with immediate effect following an announcement by authorities on Thursday, with airlines temporarily banned under the measure allowed to fly to Hong Kong.

The policy has been in effect for around two years, with the mechanism placing a ban on certain flight routes if the number of airline passengers who tested positive for Covid-19 exceeded a threshold set by the government.

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