Hong Kong International Airport is the largest airport in the world for cargo and it wants to stay that way. Amid a serious slump in cargo volumes, the airport authority is now allowing airlines to rebate a portion of their terminal handling charges to freight forwarders and offering to cover 20% of any fee reduction.
The abatement of terminal handling charges will go into effect on April 1 for one year, after which it will be reviewed for possible extension, the airport authority said Dec. 11.
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific is the first airline to sign up for the rebate program. The airline said customers will save HK$0.3 per kilogram for general and special cargo. The discount will apply to the group’s four airlines — Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon, AHK Air Hong Kong and HK Express — and range from 18% to more than 20% compared to fee levels.
Whether forwarders pass on any of the savings to their customers remains to be seen.
“Over the years, the airport authority has been working closely with airlines and business partners to enhance air cargo facilities and services, making HKIA the leading global air cargo hub. The new initiative will help maintain the cost efficiency of the industry and strengthen our cargo volume growth, ultimately reinforcing HKIA’s competitiveness,” Cissy Chan, executive director for commercial, said in the news release.
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