
The SAR Government responds to media inquiries regarding Japanese authorities’ restrictions on local airports handling Hong Kong flights
Since the Civil Aviation Authority of Japan notified the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on December 27 (the SAR Government), starting from tomorrow (December 30), from Hong Kong Passenger flights can only use Narita, Haneda, Kansai and Nagoya Chubu airports for the time being. Airlines are also not allowed to increase flights from Hong Kong to Japanese airports. The SAR government has actively communicated closely with the Japanese authorities and solemnly requested the Japanese authorities to withdraw the relevant decisions.
The SAR Government is aware that the Japanese Government announced today (December 29) that in addition to the four designated airports mentioned above, flights carrying passengers from Hong Kong will also be allowed to use the three airports of New Chitose, Fukuoka and Naha. However, the relevant flights are not allowed to carry passengers who have been to mainland China within the past seven days.
According to the SAR government’s understanding, the relevant arrangement only applies to flights from Hong Kong and Macau to Japan. The SAR government believes that the restrictions on flights departing from Hong Kong are unreasonable. The SAR government has requested the Japanese authorities to lift relevant restrictions.
The SAR government has reminded local airlines to explain the latest flight arrangements to affected passengers as soon as possible.
The SAR government will continue to request the Japanese authorities to withdraw all restrictions on flights departing from Hong Kong.