Transfer/transit services at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for passengers from Mainland Chinese airports will resume on Saturday (15 August) until 15 October 2020.

The airport, however, indicated that transfer/transit services to Mainland Chinese destinations will remain unavailable at HKIA.

Enhanced measures at HKIA, which were introduced when transfer/transit services resumed on 1 June 2020 will remain in place and applicable to all origins and destinations.

Transfer/transit flights operated by different airline groups must be booked under the same airline ticket. Passengers must also be checked through with both boarding passes printed and baggage tagged through to final destination.

Layover times must not exceed 24 hours and passengers must confirm in advance that they can enter the final destination.

GRADUAL RESUMPTION OF TRANSFER/TRANSIT SERVICES

Regarding specific entry and health-related regulations imposed by other jurisdictions, airlines must ensure that before boarding, passengers meet the immigration and health quarantine requirements of their final destinations and comply with transfer/transit requirements at HKIA. This will avoid passengers being stranded at the airport.

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) said: “The resumption of transfer/transit services at HKIA starting 1 June 2020 has been implemented in a gradual and coordinated manner, having due regard to the need for public health protection.”

Cissy Chan, Executive Director, Commercial, Airport Authority Hong Kong told TRBusiness: “The pace of the global travel retail recovery will depend on factors such as the pandemic situation, travel restrictions, travel demand and global economy.

“Travellers’ expectation and preferences may also change after the pandemic. The aviation industry will have to respond to changes promptly. We will closely monitor developments and plan our offers and services accordingly.

Various enhanced health measures have been implemented at HKIA. All passengers (departing, arriving, transfer/transit), along with airport staff are required to wear face-masks at all times at HKIA.

All transfer/transit and arriving passengers must undergo body temperature screening upon arrival. They will also receive stickers at transfer points for identification purposes and are requested to proceed immediately to boarding gates to catch connecting flights. These measures will help minimise the risk of transmission and contact.

Designated seating areas have been created at each boarding gate and dining areas have been created for transfer/transit passengers.

Stay close to TRBusiness for an exclusive interview with Cissy Chan, Executive Director, Commercial, Airport Authority Hong Kong.