Hong Kong to build third runway; will impose passenger levy | Airports & Routes content from ATWOnline
The Hong Kong Airport Authority (HKAA) will add a surcharge on all departing passenger tickets from Aug. 1, 2016, to help fund the construction of a third runway at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
The fee, called an Airport Construction Fee (ACF), will apply to departing passengers including both origin-destination and transit-transfer travelers using HKG.
The charge will vary according to the type of flight—long-haul or short-haul—and the class of cabin used by the passengers. It will vary from HK$70 ($9) for economy short-haul to HK$180 for business long-haul users at the airport, with a slight reduction for passengers using transit facilities only.
HKAA said it expects around 70% of passengers using HKG will pay less than HK$90 on each ACF ticket levy.
“We have considered a number of factors [in introducing the ACF], including … the additional cost imposed on passengers, and maintaining HKG’s competitiveness as a hub airport,” HKAA CEO Fred Lam said.
The airport is targeting 2023 for completion of the new runway, which will include an extra terminal and taxiways, and cost an estimated HK$141.5 billion.
Work is scheduled to begin on the new runway in Aug. 2016, and the collection of the ACF will continue “until all borrowings related to the third runway project have been fully repaid,” said HKAA in a statement.
HKG saw 68.5 million passengers in 2015, and it handled 4.38 million tonnes of cargo during the same period. The extra runway is expected to boost these to 102 million passengers and 8.9 million tonnes of cargo by 2030.