Guangzhou's new airport has not affected growth at Hong Kong International Airport which has set new records for both passenger and cargo throughput.

This was the message today from Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Stephen Ip in response to questions from legislators.

Taking September as an example, Mr Ip said aircraft movements rose 17.9%, passenger throughput rose 15%, cargo throughput rose 19.2%, and transfer passengers grew 21.2% over the same month last year.

Mr Ip said the Airport Authority, in view of the competition from neighbouring airports, re-introduced a two-year new destination incentive arrangement in September.

The scheme offers a rebate of up to 50% on landing charges to encourage airlines to develop services between Hong Kong and new destinations.

Progressive liberalisation

Mr Ip said the Government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to enhance Hong Kong's position as an aviation hub. Through the policy of progressive liberalisation, airlines can continue to expand their service network through Hong Kong.

"In the past two years, we have concluded completely open direct services or substantially expanded bilateral arrangements with a number of aviation partners, including the UK, the US and countries in Southeast Asia," he said.

The new air services arrangement concluded in September allows more Hong Kong and Mainland airlines to enter the market and substantially expand the frequency of services between the two jurisdictions.

It also provides additional rights for Mainland airlines to operate via Hong Kong to Southeast Asia, and enables airlines of both sides to code-share with each other to link up Hong Kong's extensive international network with the enormous Mainland aviation market.

Plans to expand ferry services

Mr Ip said to extend Hong Kong's catchment area across the boundary, ferry services between Hong Kong airport and four cities in the Pearl River Delta were launched in September last year, which provide seamless sea-air transit services to Mainland travellers.

"Plans are in hand to further expand the network. Coupled with increasing cross-boundary coach services, these inter-modal links will enhance Hong Kong's position as the preferred gateway airport for Mainland residents making international travels," he said.

"In July, the Airport Authority also launched the Fly via Hong Kong one-stop ticketing platform to facilitate Mainland passengers using Hong Kong airport for travelling to the rest of the world."