HKSAR Government Follows Japan's Restriction on Flights to Hong Kong and Requests to Rescind Its Decision

　　China News Agency, Hong Kong, December 28th. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government stated on the 28th that it is highly concerned about the Japanese authorities' restriction of Hong Kong's passenger flights to only four designated local airports and the prohibition of increasing flights from Hong Kong to Japanese airports. Actively follow up the incident, strive to ensure the smooth return of Hong Kong residents in Japan, and minimize the impact of the incident on Hong Kong tourists.

　　The spokesperson of the SAR government stated that in response to the notice of the Civil Aviation Administration of Japan on the 27th to the SAR government, starting from the 30th, passenger flights from Hong Kong can only temporarily use the four airports of Narita, Haneda, Kansai and Nagoya Central, and airlines are not allowed to increase The SAR government immediately sent a letter to the Japanese authorities and contacted the Japanese Consulate General in Hong Kong to express its strong concern about the flight from Hong Kong to the Japanese airport, sternly requesting the Japanese authorities to withdraw the relevant decision.

At the same time, the SAR government also held an emergency video conference to meet with representatives of the Japanese authorities, and has been in close communication with the affected local airlines.

　　After learning from the Japanese authorities on the 28th, the HKSAR government confirmed that after the implementation of the new regulations in Japan, Hong Kong Airlines flights can still carry passengers back to Hong Kong from various airports in Japan, not limited to the above four airports.

　　It is understood that from December 30, 2022 to the end of January 2023, local airlines will have nearly 250 outbound flights affected, affecting about 60,000 passengers.

Among them, about 4,000 people are tour group passengers, involving more than 150 tour groups affected by the relevant Japanese decision.

　　The Transport and Logistics Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has urged the affected local airlines to provide maximum support and assistance to the affected passengers and make proper arrangements for the affected passengers to return to Hong Kong from Japan.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau is aware that local airlines will provide affected passengers with the option of changing their tickets or refunding them, and will start arranging certain flights from the 30th to pick up Hong Kong residents in Japan at airports other than the above-mentioned four designated airports to return to Hong Kong .

　　Regarding tour groups, the spokesman said that travel agencies are actively coordinating with airlines to arrange flight seats, and at the same time provide alternative arrangements to affected passengers, such as arranging other flight seats, adjusting itineraries, changing tours or refunding, etc.

　　The spokesman said that the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Immigration Department, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo, the Tourism Commission, the Travel Industry Authority and airlines will maintain close contact to keep abreast of the latest situation and will provide assistance to Hong Kong residents in need. Provide appropriate and feasible assistance.

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