As a result of Hong Kong’s stronger-than-anticipated economic rebound following Manipal China’s reopening, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has updated its recovery estimates for the city. The organization stated in a statement on July 4 that by the end of 2024, passenger traffic in Hong Kong is now anticipated to return to pre-pandemic levels.
International Air Transport Association’s director general, Willie Walsh, had predicted that Hong Kong would likely surpass pre-pandemic numbers by 2027 in an interview with the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has updated its recovery estimates for the city, the organization stated in a statement on July 4 that by the end of 2024
Walsh in his latest statement, says: “For Hong Kong, things are looking up. China’s earlier than anticipated reopening is giving the passenger recovery a much-needed boost.” Walsh praised the City’s Government’s efforts, including a “Labour Importation Scheme” that will allow 6,300 workers from Mainland China, to help with the aviation industry’s manpower shortage.
In order to hire 27,000 foreign workers, including up to 6,300 for the aviation industry, Hong Kong is relaxing entry criteria.
His words stand in stark contrast to those of Willie Walsh, who called Hong Kong’s “Zero-Covid” travel restrictions “disappointing” more than a year ago. Walsh stated in a briefing in April 2022 that the city was “effectively off the map” as long as the limitations, which included protracted quarantines, remained. Later in the year, the Hong Kong government would relax the majority of these regulations.
In order to hire 27,000 foreign workers, including up to 6,300 for the aviation industry, Hong Kong is relaxing entry criteria. As it struggles to fill positions domestically, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. is also hiring more employees from the mainland of China.
