The Air Services and Safety Management Division (ASMD) is responsible for monitoring the operations of airlines in compliance with bilateral air services arrangements; providing information to relevant authorities regarding air transport licence applications by local airlines and for air services negotiations; providing schedule co-ordination and slot allocation services to airlines and other aircraft operators; developing and implementing safety policy to promote and enhance safety in the aviation system; and regulating Hong Kong air navigation services. ASMD is also responsible for handling civil aviation legislative matters; regulating the operations of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Hong Kong; providing air traffic statistics to international organisations; and coordinating the formulation of departmental training policy for departmental professional grade staff.
Air Services
Air Traffic
In 2019-20, a passenger throughput of 60.72 million was recorded, representing a year-on-year decrease of 19%. Cargo throughput stood at 4.59 million tonnes, representing a year-on-year drop of 7%. There were 377 455 aircraft movements, representing a year-on-year drop of 12%. During the year, 115 airlines had operated direct services to and from Hong Kong, covering 219 cities/airports.
The global outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020 posed unprecedented challenges to the aviation industry, and air traffic in Hong Kong was inevitably affected. As a result of the corresponding travel restrictions and entry and quarantine requirements imposed by different countries and authorities, many airlines had to temporarily adjust or even suspend their passenger services due to lower passenger travel demands. At the same time, there was a surge in demand for cargo flights for the transport of cargo, including humanitarian and medical supplies, worldwide. Recognising the changes in market situation, ASMD worked closely with the industry to provide as much facilitation as possible, in order to support the global fight against COVID-19 and at the same time to ensure the continuous swift flow of air cargo. ASMD will continue to closely monitor the on-going market situation and provide the necessary support to the industry for a speedy post-COVID-19 recovery of air traffic flow.
Services by Local Carriers
As at mid-January 2020, services by local carriers were as follows:
Cathay Pacific Airways Limited (CPA) operated direct services to 78 destinations worldwide, including a new destination to Seattle for scheduled passenger services.
Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Limited (HDA) operated direct passenger services to 47 destinations, including a new destination to Niigata.
AHK Air Hong Kong Limited (AHK) operated direct all-cargo services to 13 destinations in Asia, including a new destination to Cebu.
Hong Kong Airlines Limited (CRK) operated direct services to 29 destinations.
Hong Kong Express Airways Limited (HKE) is the only low cost carrier in Hong Kong. It operated direct services to 25 destinations, adding Shimojishima, Okinawa and Bangkok to its network.
Hong Kong Air Cargo Carrier Limited (HKC) operated direct all-cargo services to 12 destinations, including a new destination to Kuala Lumpur.
TAG Aviation Asia Limited continued to operate non-scheduled passenger services to cities around the world.
Sky Shuttle Helicopters Limited continued to operate non-scheduled passenger services between Hong Kong and Macao.
Heliservices (Hong Kong) Limited continued to operate local passenger charters and aerial work services.
By the end of March 2020, under the impact of COVID-19, the number of destinations served by direct services dropped to 62 for CPA; 16 for HDA; nine for CRK; and two for HKE. All-cargo carriers HKC and AHK operated direct services to 11 and 13 destinations respectively.
In addition, services of Sky Shuttle Helicopters Limited were suspended since 4 February 2020 due to the temporary suspension of passenger clearance services at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal as announced by the Government to enhance disease control measures.
Services by Non-Hong Kong Carriers
Eznis Airways was the only non-Hong Kong operator that commenced new scheduled services during the year, introducing passenger services between Hong Kong and Ulaanbaatar in June 2019.
On the other hand, four airlines suspended their scheduled services to and from Hong Kong – Vanilla Air in May 2019; Sky Lease in September 2019; South African Airways in November 2019; and Jetstar Asia Airways in February 2020¹.
During the year, the CAD issued 125 operating permits to airlines for operation of scheduled services to and from Hong Kong, and processed around 6 900 applications for changes to the schedules. A total of 1 413 permits were also issued for the operation of charter services to, from and in Hong Kong.
Tariffs
During the year, the CAD processed 804 tariff filings for carriage of passengers and cargo on scheduled services to and from Hong Kong. The CAD announced in July 2019 that the time-limited arrangement for airlines to levy cargo fuel surcharge based on the current Cargo Fuel Surcharge Mechanism of the CAD for flights originating from Hong Kong would be extended from the end of 2019 to 30 June 2022.
Air Transport Licensing
In accordance with the Air Transport (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations (Chapter 448A), any person intending to use Hong Kong-registered aircraft to operate scheduled services to carry passengers, mail or cargo must apply to the Air Transport Licensing Authority for a licence for such operations. During the year, the CAD provided the Air Transport Licensing Authority with air services-related information and statistics with regard to one application for variation of licence.
Slot Allocation
In accordance with the International Air Transport Association's Worldwide Slot Guidelines (IATA WSG), the Hong Kong Schedule Coordination Office (HKSCO) of the CAD managed slot allocation in a fair, neutral and transparent manner, with a view to ensuring the efficient utilisation of existing airport infrastructure. During the year, airlines and other aircraft operators at Hong Kong International Airport were allocated a total of 382 917 slots. The utilisation rate of the allocated slot was over 98.6%. The CAD will continue to work closely with industry stakeholders in order to maximise the utilisation of slots.
In accordance with IATA WSG, airlines are entitled to retain a series of slots for the next equivalent season if their flights were operated at least 80% of the slots they were allocated.
Recognising the challenges faced by the aviation industry under the impacts of the social events which resulted in a drop in passenger demand for Hong Kong, airlines were informed that all cancellations of flights from 1 August to the end of IATA Summer Season 2019 would be deemed as operated in consideration for historic entitlement for IATA Summer Season 2020. Further announcement was made in September 2019 that airlines would be dispensed with the 80% utilisation rule for IATA Winter Season 2019 in order to provide them with greater flexibility in aircraft deployment to meet the challenges.
In view of the impact of COVID-19 on air travel, further announcement was made in March 2020 to extend the above dispensation arrangement for the IATA Summer Season 2020.
Activities of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
To maintain the status of Hong Kong as a centre of international and regional civil aviation in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law, and to facilitate the discharge of Hong Kong's responsibilities under the regional air navigation procedures of the ICAO, the CAD continued to participate actively in ICAO's activities including meetings, symposiums, seminars, etc. During the year, representatives of the CAD attended four ICAO meetings which were limited to states as part of the delegation of the People's Republic of China, and 25 ICAO meetings which were not so limited, using the name "Hong Kong, China". Details of these 29 meetings are provided in the Appendix. The CAD also exchanged 434 letters with ICAO, the majority of which involved comments and information on technical matters related to civil aviation.
Activities of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
The CAD continued to support aviation related activities and initiatives of APEC using the name "Hong Kong, China". During the year, the CAD handled 22 requests relating to APEC, which involved provision of comments and information on technical matters related to civil aviation.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
In Hong Kong, UAS are classified as aircraft and are governed, as far as aviation safety is concerned, by the civil aviation legislation. According to Article 48 of the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 (Cap. 448C), a person shall not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft (including UAS) to endanger any person or property.
With a view to safeguarding public safety while accommodating the technological development and diversified uses of UAS, the CAD is reviewing the regulatory regime for UAS in Hong Kong. As part of the review and to explore ways to refine the prevailing regulatory regime, the CAD conducted a consultancy study and later launched a public consultation. After assessing the views collected, the CAD drew up detailed proposals and consulted the Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development on 24 June 2019. The CAD will continue to follow up on the comments raised and work on the draft legislation of the enhanced regulatory regime for UAS.
To facilitate the implementation arrangements, an electronic portal, in the form of a mobile application and a web portal, is under development. The portal will include a map to indicate areas restricted from UAS operations for reference. At the same time, the CAD will continue with its publicity and educational efforts through various means, including publishing safety information and guidelines on the CAD's website, distributing safety leaflets, broadcasting safety messages through television and radio stations, and communicating regularly with major UAS/model aircraft associations and manufacturers, so as to raise the safety awareness of the relevant sectors and organisations, as well as the general public, about UAS operations.
Strategic Safety Office
The Strategic Safety Office is responsible for implementing safety management initiatives and requirements. It plans and coordinates the State Safety Programme (SSP) and Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) activities for the CAD and promotes the effective implementation of safety management principles.
Continuous Monitoring Approach Implementation
Under the CMA adopted by ICAO, all states and administrations are required to provide relevant information for ICAO's continuous review with a view to enhancing the safety oversight capability of states and administrations and promoting global aviation safety.
During the year, the CAD continued to proactively implement the CMA activities through a coordinated approach, which included formulation of action plans and associated tasks, provision of updated information to ICAO and regular review of CMA documentation.
ICAO State Safety Programme (SSP) Implementation
The CAD continued to implement SSP according to the "Hong Kong Aviation Safety Programme" (HKASP), which was reviewed and updated with reference to the latest ICAO's requirements and guidance on safety management.
With the publication of the ICAO’s Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) 2020-2022 edition, ICAO presented an enhanced global roadmap for the continuous improvement of aviation safety and called for the development of a Regional Aviation Safety Plan (RASP) to implement the GASP at regional level. In support of the ICAO’s safety initiative, the CAD joined the ad-hoc Working Group established under the Regional Aviation Safety Group – Asia Pacific (RASG-APAC) for the development of the Asia-Pacific RASP in the region. The CAD will continue to progressively introduce performance-based regulatory elements in our safety oversight system and implement the related global aviation safety strategies and safety management provisions with a view to continually enhancing our safety regulation.
Air Traffic Management Standards Office (ATMSO)
ATMSO is responsible for ensuring that a high standard of safety in the provision of air navigation services in Hong Kong is established, achieved and maintained.
Safety Oversight Activities
ATMSO conducted regular audits and safety inspections on the Air Traffic Management Division (ATMD) and Air Traffic Engineering Services Division. During the year, a total of 28 audits and safety inspections were conducted.
The safety inspections included Air Traffic Management and Communication, Navigation and Surveillance activities in operations, procedures, training, examinations, Safety Management System (SMS) implementation, ATC equipment/systems, safety occurrences investigations, maintenance arrangement, internal audits and follow-up actions arising from safety recommendations.
As part of its duties, ATMSO participated in the preliminary investigations of all ATC incidents jointly with ATMD investigators to determine the category and severity of the incident. A decision would then be made as to the form of investigation to be conducted in accordance with established provisions. During the year, ATMSO conducted safety review of ATC incidents.
Through the Air Navigation Services Standards Coordination Meeting and the Air Traffic Safety Assessment Committee, ATMSO also regularly reviewed in collaboration with air navigation service provider and the safety personnel of other stakeholders, e.g. Flight Standards and Airworthiness Division, major local airline operators and the Government Flying Service, etc., issues pertinent to safety occurrences, the implementation of SMS and safe air navigation service provisions to promote continual development and improvement.
Documentation
ATMSO reviews and updates existing regulatory documents periodically to ensure that they remain accurate, valid and up-to-date.
Personnel Licensing for Air Traffic Controllers
In accordance with the standards in ICAO Annex 1 and the requirements of Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995, ATMSO processed 205 initial awards of ATC Licences, ATC Ratings and Certificates of Competency, as well as 296 renewals of Ratings and Certificates.
Safety Promotion
For safety promotion, ATMSO conducted periodic briefings and issued safety promotion information to the air navigation service providers and the staff of the maintenance services provider on safety culture and SMS to reinforce safety oversight and safety management concepts. In addition, ATMSO regularly published regulatory information and safety management materials on the intranet for convenient access by all air navigation services staff.
Training and Development
ASMD provided support to the Training and Development Committee of the CAD in formulating the departmental training policy and making recommendations on the endorsement of the departmental training programme. Through regular liaisons with divisional training coordinators, ASMD also helped organise department-wide training events.
Knowledge Management Activities
To further foster a continuous learning culture in the CAD, ASMD continued to organise knowledge management activities such as talks on latest aviation developments or trends and visits to major stakeholders. Amongst these activities, "Learning Wednesday" continued to receive positive feedback and high attendance by professional grade staff. Guest speakers from other government departments such as the Government Flying Service, the Hong Kong Observatory, etc, were invited to deliver talks to share their relevant knowledge and experience in aviation.
Aviation Education Path
Guided tours of the Aviation Education Path (AEP) continued to serve as a valuable gateway for the CAD to enhance the public understanding of the functions and responsibilities of various divisions of the CAD, the historical developments of civil aviation in Hong Kong, the ongoing construction of the Three-Runway System and the importance of aviation safety. During the year, AEP received around 10 000 visitors, with majority of the guided tours given to local students.
¹Aurora Airlines, Globus Airlines and Jet Airways (India) suspended their scheduled services in March 2019.