Air routes to Thailand have been further liberalised after successful talks between our two aviation authorities.

Delegations representing the Hong Kong and Thai governments concluded two days of talks here today to liberalise our bilateral air services arrangement.

The new arrangement marks another major step in our progressive liberalisation policy in air services, after Hong Kong earlier last week also signed an arrangement with Malaysia.

The new agreement removes limitations on the direct air route between Hong Kong and Thailand, and with immediate effect airlines of both sides can operate passenger services between Hong Kong and all Thai destinations without limitation on routing or aircraft type.

Hong Kong airlines will have the flexibility to combine a number of Thai destinations in their services and allow passengers to stopover in the kingdom's cities. The arrangement also provides for expanded fifth-freedom rights for passenger and cargo services.

A win-win deal

The bilateral code-share arrangement has been further liberalised to provide more opportunities for airlines of both sides to code-share with partner airlines on services to and beyond Hong Kong and Thailand.

The Economic Development & Labour Bureau hailed the agreement as a "win-win deal" which offers a liberal framework for airlines to plan ahead and operate services in response to market demand.

It also provides much improved flexibility for airlines to develop new products that suit travellers' needs and further enhance tourism and economic ties between Hong Kong and Thailand.

The kingdom is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Hong Kong residents, as well as an important source of in-bound tourists from the Southeast Asian region.