Company Viewpoint

Company Viewpoints

Hong Kong people should have the choice to fly with their preferred airline.

• The United States uses the term "Open Skies" as if it means “open markets”. It doesn’t. Under the policy, US airlines would enjoy unfettered access to regional markets that feed Hong Kong, but Hong Kong airlines would remain banned from competing on American turf.
• Any air service agreement between Hong Kong and the US should first and foremost bring greater benefits to Hong Kong customers: true competition is about choice, and Hong Kong people should have the freedom to fly within the US with the airline they prefer.
• Hong Kong has an open aviation regime based on the Government’s policy of progressive liberalisation. With it, Hong Kong has become the world’s busiest airport for international air cargo and the region’s biggest passenger hub.
• Travellers and cargo shippers using Hong Kong airport have the choice of flying with some 70 airlines to over 140 destinations, making the city one of the most connected in the world.
• The market between Hong Kong and the US is already completely open. Right now, there are almost 200 cargo and passengers flights between Hong Kong and the US each week, and no limit to any airline adding more.
• US carriers also enjoy valuable "fifth-freedom" rights that let them compete to destinations beyond Hong Kong that are just as much a part of our local market as are provincial US cities to hubs such as Chicago, New York and San Francisco.
• Further liberalisation would be welcome in Hong Kong, but only if it comes on equal terms. Unlimited rights for US carriers to compete in Hong Kong’s backyard should be fairly matched by Hong Kong airlines being allowed to operate between cities in the US.
• A characteristic of many of the world’s most successful airports such as London, Dubai and Frankfurt is that they have the loyalty and support of a strong home carrier. That is no less true here in Hong Kong.
• "Open Skies" rhetoric is short on substance because there is nothing open about competition that denies Hong Kong customers the right to choose.