Guangdong and Hong Kong are exploring ways to further promote the development of cross-boundary commercial helicopter services.
Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan made the remarks when answering questions from lawmaker Chan Hok-fung at the Legislative Council meeting Wednesday (June 1).
Pointing out that there have been cross-boundary commercial helicopter services between Hong Kong and various places in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Mr Chan said developing such services can provide point-to-point air transport with greater flexibility, which may be similar to air taxi, for high-end travellers and further enhance the internationalised business environment in the bay area.
In Hong Kong, cross-boundary helicopters mainly take-off and land at Sky Shuttle Heliport in Sheung Wan, which still has ample capacity.
It will suffice in meeting the market demand for cross-boundary helicopter services between Hong Kong and other places in the bay area in the coming years, he said.
In addition, the Government Flying Service is establishing its Kai Tak Division at the site annotated as a heliport at the tip of the former Kai Tak Airport runway.
Depending on the future development of cross-boundary helicopter services and the market demand, relevant operators may provide cross-boundary commercial helicopter services at the site on the condition that the department's emergency services will not be affected.
Mr Chan also noted that various Mainland helicopter operators have conducted trial flights between Hong Kong and Shenzhen or Guangzhou since 2019. Relevant transport services are considered technically and operationally feasible.
The Government will maintain close communication with Mainland authorities on the design of flight paths.
Meanwhile, in 2020, the Civil Aviation Administration of China further agreed that Guangdong and Hong Kong begin preparation for the provision of cross-boundary commercial helicopter services.
To this end, the two places are looking for ways to further promote the development of such services, including studying the feasibility of setting up take-off or landing points that fulfil customs, immigration and quarantine arrangements.
The transport chief added that relevant government bureaus and departments are complementing the feasibility study being conducted by agencies in Shenzhen and will provide professional advice through taskforce meetings.
The Shenzhen side expects to complete the feasibility study within this year. Both places will then discuss the next step based on the study results.
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