The International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued a statement on July 4 addressing the direction of the Hong Kong aviation sector’s recovery. This was in line with the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s (SAR) attempts to support the sector following the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of 2024, the IATA predicts that passenger numbers will have recovered to levels similar to those seen before the epidemic.
Hong Kong’s comeback is now anticipated
The IATA has updated its passenger traffic predictions. The IATA represents over 300 airlines and roughly 85% of all international air travel. By the end of 2024, these figures are expected to improve and return to their pre-crisis levels. The newly revised schedule places Hong Kong’s recovery behind that of the rest of Asia-Pacific, which increases hopes for a quicker comeback. Willie Walsh, the IATA’s director general, stated in a statement:
“For Hong Kong, things are looking up. The earlier-than-anticipated reopening in China is giving the passenger recovery the much-needed boost. We anticipate that Hong Kong’s traffic will reach pre-crisis levels by the end of 2024. It is reassuring to see the Hong Kong government being ready for this by taking steps to guarantee the availability of the workers needed to help the recovery.
Walsh said that by increasing the number of personnel in the sector, the Hong Kong government is attempting to recover. In order to do this, the Hong Kong government unveiled a new labor importation scheme. More than 6,300 new personnel from the Chinese mainland were to be added to the aviation sector as part of this strategy. In addition to a lack of qualified workers, the Hong Kong aviation sector is also experiencing supply chain problems.
Walsh also discussed the most recent projections for growth, saying,
“The aviation industry has suffered greatly during the past three years. It is crucial that the whole Hong Kong aviation community, including airlines, airports, regulators, and the government, work together to address the issues and are well-prepared to tap into future prospects as we look ahead to recovery and prepare for future growth.
In order to hold the Hong Kong Aviation Day in August, the IATA will collaborate with the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK). The occasion will take place on August 1-2.
The Hong Kong economy is trying to revive
The many airlines that fly through the area are helping the aviation industry get back on track. Recently, Hong Kong Airlines has worked to further its regional expansion there. The first of the airline’s four weekly flights arrived at Phuket International Airport (HKT) late last month.
Hong Kong residents now have even more flight alternatives thanks to Hong Kong Airlines’ recent resumption of service to Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX). Further evidence of the region’s recovery came from Cathay Pacific, the flag carrier of Hong Kong, which recently declared it anticipated making a profit for the first half of 2023. The airline handled more than 1.4 million passengers in May of this year. In comparison to the pre-pandemic levels recorded in May 2019, this was just 48% of passengers. However, compared to May 2022, there were 2,345% more passengers.
READ MORE: http://pattayaone.news
SOURCE: https://simpleflying.com
