03-Jan-2012 7:52 AM

HK, Taiwan sign air treaty

Direct News Source

30-Dec-2011 Hong Kong and Taiwan today signed an agreement to increase air passenger and cargo capacity and encourage new airlines to enter the market.

The Air Services Arrangement was signed in Hong Kong by representatives of the Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic & Cultural Co-operation & Promotion Council and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic & Cultural Co-operation Council.

The agreement comes into immediate effect and sets no limit on the number of airlines designated by both sides.

They agreed to boost passenger capacity by 28 flights a week for each side and another seven flights per week for each with effect from the 2012 International Air Transport Association summer schedule.

Cargo capacity will increase by 1,100 tonnes a week for each side and another 200 tonnes a week for each side from the 2012 IATA summer schedule.

Special chartered flights are allowed between Hong Kong and Taichung, Hualien, Taitung, Magong, Kinmen and Tainan, and each side can operate up to 28 flights per week.