Hong Kong International Airport expects revenue to grow by up to 10% this year despite disruptions from the Iran conflict, its CEO Vivian Cheung Kar-fay said. She aims to position the facility as an alternative aviation hub to the Middle East. The airport anticipates welcoming about 70 million passengers, up from 61 million last year.
Airport Authority Hong Kong CEO Vivian Cheung Kar-fay told the South China Morning Post in a Thursday interview that cancelled flights due to the Iran conflict, including those by flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways, were among the less desirable routes for travellers. The authority is working to attract airlines to launch new flights from the city.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Singapore Yachting Festival, Cheung said: “Some aircraft might not be able to stop by, or fall out of, the Middle East, and they might choose other places, and Hong Kong can be a great starting point for them to launch their flights.” She added: “That is something we will work on for the coming years. Of course, hopefully the war will end soon, and oil prices will come down, but even with the current status, we’re working on other alternatives.”
The airport expects to handle about 70 million passengers this year, an increase from around 61 million last year. Cheung aims to position Hong Kong International Airport as an alternative hub amid Middle East disruptions.