Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has suggested the government tap transit passengers as part of a strategy to generate more tourism dollars for the cash-strapped city.
Advertisement
The company’s spokesman told the Post that in a budget consultation session with the government last month, the carrier’s management suggested authorities roll out targeted measures to cash in on the city’s largely untapped transit passengers to cater to the airport’s expansion, boosted by the launch of its three-runway system in November.
“One of our suggestions is for authorities to attract more transit passengers to travel to Hong Kong during the break between flights,” he said. “Given the launch of the three-runway system of the airport, the move could help boost its development with more tourists being lured to transit via the city.”
The three-runway system marked the beginning of the airport’s push to expand passenger capacity in stages by 50 per cent to 120 million passengers annually.
The carrier also advised the government to break into newly emerging markets such as the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia by attracting their leisure and business visitors to the city through large-scale events such as financial summits, the spokesman added.
Advertisement
“Through these mega-events, we aim to invite their entrepreneurs and industry leaders to visit the city … This will further enhance Hong Kong’s status as an aviation hub,” he said.