I am honoured to be appointed as the Director-General of Civil Aviation and to review the work of the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) in the past year with you here.

2019-20 was a turbulent year full of challenges. The local social incidents in the second half of 2019 and the global outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 fiercely affected the demand for air passenger services and posed immense pressure on the aviation industry. Apart from upholding professionalism and strong dedication to provide reliable and efficient services for the industry, staff of the CAD also implemented timely measures and worked closely with our industry partners to handle the unprecedented challenges together.

This year, the CAD handled 378 907 aircraft movements at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and 365 290 flights flying through the Hong Kong Flight Information Region, which represented year-on-year drops of 11.9% and 4.07% respectively. Passengers and cargo handled by the HKIA decreased by 18.9% and 7.3% to 60.9 million and 4.7 million tonnes respectively.

As the aviation industry was hit hard by the pandemic, the CAD played an active role in providing assistance to the industry through the Anti-epidemic Fund launched by the Government. We also closely monitored the market changes and operational needs of the airlines amid the epidemic, and speedily offered appropriate support for the industry. For example, to facilitate airlines’ arrangement of special flights and extra-section all-cargo flights for repatriation purposes, and to meet the surge in cargo capacity demand due to the growth in e-commerce and the need to transport medical and humanitarian supplies, the CAD re-deployed extra manpower temporarily to process flight applications and expedite the handling of airlines’ applications for transportation of cargo in passenger cabin without compromising flight safety while promptly responding to the pressing operational needs of the aviation industry.

In light of the actual situation, the CAD was the first in the Asia region to announce the suspension of airlines’ requirement of 80% slot usage for a total of three seasons starting from Winter 2019 season. The measure provided airline operators with greater flexibility in their operations, alleviating the impact of the epidemic on the industry.

To prepare and support the revival of the aviation industry, the CAD participated in various global and regional initiatives, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Asia and Pacific Office COVID-19 Contingency and Recovery Planning Group to keep abreast of the latest development in the Asia and Pacific Region and relevant guidelines of ICAO and industry associations in fighting against the epidemic and striving to reinvigorate the aviation industry.

While meeting the challenges brought by the epidemic, the CAD continued to focus and work on different important aspects in the past year, with a view to maintaining Hong Kong’s competitiveness as an international aviation hub and gearing up for the future demand for air services. These included taking forward the preparatory work and procurement of air navigation service equipment for the Three-runway System, co-ordinating with works departments on the design of the new Air Traffic Control Tower, as well as preparing for ancillary support for air navigation services.

Pursuant to the new policy of ICAO on air cargo security, the CAD continued to implement the Regulated Air Cargo Screening Facility Scheme with the purpose of enhancing Hong Kong’s overall screening capacity for export air cargo. The CAD also put in place a transitional arrangement from January 2020 whereupon air cargo screening percentage would be gradually increased to 100% in phases to meet ICAO’s requirements. The logistics operations of the air cargo industry were smooth in general since the implementation of the scheme. The CAD will continue to collaborate closely with the industry in a bid to ensure the smooth implementation of the scheme, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub.

During the year, the CAD maintained close liaison and co-operation with the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao to drive forward the development of air navigation services and airspace in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), accomplishing greater synergy in the GBA airspace and promoting aviation development in the GBA. 

The aviation industry is facing unparalleled challenges under the impacts of COVID-19. It may take some time for the global aviation market to get back on track. The CAD will continue to work hand in hand with the industry to capitalise on Hong Kong’s edge as an international aviation hub and stand ready for the industry upturn. I hope once the global epidemic is contained, our aviation industry can swiftly recover and scale new heights.