Government presses Hong Kong Airlines to further clarify finances

The authorities have requested that Hong Kong Airlines further clarify and provide information about its financial situation, casting fresh doubt over the troubled carrier’s business viability. On Monday, the Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) said it had reviewed the finances of the city’s third largest airline at a meeting that day, prompting a follow-up inquiry. “ATLA requested that Hong Kong Airlines provide further clarifications and provide supplementary information,” a statement from the Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) said, signalling dissatisfaction with the airline’s initial explanation in its financial presentation. The beleaguered company had already put forward a financial plan and business case, as demanded last month by ATLA. A government statement on Monday added that the airline licensing body would “continue to assess the financial situation” of Hong Kong Airlines “and will keep in view the development and take follow-up actions as necessary”.<br/>