{"id":204348,"date":"2022-05-03T02:15:09","date_gmt":"2022-05-02T19:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ttrweekly.com\/site\/?p=204348"},"modified":"2022-05-03T03:25:57","modified_gmt":"2022-05-02T20:25:57","slug":"hong-kong-is-in-no-hurry-to-reopen-fully","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ttrweekly.com\/site\/2022\/05\/hong-kong-is-in-no-hurry-to-reopen-fully\/","title":{"rendered":"Hong Kong is in no hurry to reopen fully"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HONG KONG, 3 May 2022: Airport Authority Hong Kong welcomes\nthe government’s recent easing of rule and inbound travel control measures,\nincluding the adjustment of route-specific flight suspensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But not everyone is talking up the changes, with business\nleaders suggesting the changes are not enough to revive international travel to\nHong Kong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Effective 1 May, Hong Kong is now allowing entry for\nnon-Hong Kong residents and allowing travellers to wait for test results at\nhotels, a move that airport authorities say will increase flights and\npassengers in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also reducing flight ban times to just five days down\nfrom the previous seven days while the ban kicks in if the flight lands with\nfive or more positive cases, up from three cases before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facing the threat of a route ban becomes a deterrent for airlines already facing financial exposure and is cited as one of the main reasons why airlines are reluctant to commit flights to Hong Kong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business leaders say the changes fall short of expectations. They are also not encouraged by government statements that suggest the further easing of entry rules for travellers and airlines remain off the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, Singapore has removed quarantine and testing for visitors. This is helping Changi Airport revive its aspirations to become the leading aviation hub in Asia and possibly overtaking Hong Kong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite easing the rules to allow non-residents to visit Hong Kong, they are still subjected to tests and hotel isolation that could extend to seven days, which is not good news for regional business travellers who normally stay in Hong Kong for two nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also calls for the flight-suspension policy to be urgently reviewed as it penalises the airline and passengers and possibly causes months of delay to secure refunds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam last week told the\nmedia there were no plans to review or consider the further relaxation of\nborder controls and flight suspension measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cathay Pacific has revised its flight schedule for May and\nJune, resuming services, particularly to the UK, ahead of the summer holiday\nseason and autumn reopening of school semesters based on the easing of rules\nstarting 1 May. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s counting on the Covid-19 situation improving after the\nfifth wave of infections ebbs. Still, business leaders wonder what would be the\noutcome for the territory’s airline if a sixth wave hits over the coming months\nand the government doubles down on restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flight Suspensions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of 29 April, the rule suspending airline routes due to\npositive Covid-19 cases tested on landing impacted the following airlines: <\/p>\n\n\n\n