Watchdog to scrutinise Hong Kong aviation authority’s oversight of paragliding following recent incidents
- Ombudsman Winnie Chiu says the sport inherently carries ‘a certain level of safety risk’, and should therefore be properly regulated
- One Hong Kong paraglider created a stir last year when he crashed into a truck while making an emergency landing; another died during an excursion in 2018
Hong Kong’s civil aviation agency will face a watchdog inquiry over apparent gaps in its regulation of paragliding activities, amid an increase in both the sport’s popularity and concerns over the rising number of worrying incidents, the Office for the Ombudsman has announced.
Commercial paragliding activities are regulated by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD), but the ombudsman revealed on Thursday that between 2017 and 2019 no permit applications were made, and only four were made last year. Two licences remained valid as of the end of February.
However, the watchdog’s chief, Winnie Chiu Wai-yin, pointed out the internet was awash with paragliding providers offering experiences at cost, which did require a permit.
“It is incumbent upon the CAD to ensure proper regulation of paragliding activities and to follow up on suspected improper or illegal paragliding activities to help ensure public safety,” Chiu said in a statement announcing the inquiry.
“In this connection, I have decided to initiate this direct investigation to probe whether the CAD has effectively regulated paragliding activities and taken adequate follow-up actions.”