Airlines in Hong Kong seek fee waivers as protests hit business

Airlines operating in Hong Kong are urging the govt to implement temporary policies to offset damage to their business as months of pro-democracy protests have disrupted operations and hurt visitor numbers. In a letter to the Secretary for Transport and Housing, the Board of Airline Representatives, which represents 70 carriers operating in Hong Kong, asked for short-term measures including a waiver of landing and parking fees at the city’s airport. “It would definitely help if the govt could temporarily waive these operating expenses so that airlines operating in Hong Kong can remain commercially viable,” the board’s chairman, Ronald Lam, wrote in the letter, dated Sept 16. “Many airlines have already reduced or cut their services to and from Hong Kong as many routes have become unprofitable.” <br/>