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Coronavirus: Hong Kong reveals HK$1 billion package to help its aviation industry through the crisis

  • Hundreds of companies to receive fresh financial aid as the city sector struggles during the pandemic
  • Authorities earlier accused of not doing enough to shield firms including airlines from the coronavirus impact

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The city’s air industry has been battered by the pandemic that has left aircraft stuck on the tarmac at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Robert Ng
Hong Kong will shore up its aviation industry with an extra HK$1 billion (US$128 million) to help hundreds of companies through the Covid-19 pandemic, the authorities revealed on Monday following intense criticism over the levels of support previously offered to the sector.
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The government and the operator of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), the Airport Authority, said the package would support about 400 firms including airlines and retailers.

“The aviation industry is an important driver for Hong Kong's economy. We are determined to maintain Hong Kong’s competitiveness as an international aviation hub, and even more so in challenging times,” a government statement said.

For the latest package, the government will chip in HK$670 million, sourced from the levying of air traffic control charges, with the Airport Authority stumping up HK$330 million, for the relief measures covering February to June this year.

Backdated from February and worth up to HK$630 million, airlines will receive a full waiver on five months of aeronautical charges involving parking and air bridge fees for grounded planes, as well as a 40 per cent reduction over four months on landing charges.

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