- But because of strong resistance from the aviation industry, discussions led by the Transport and Housing Bureau are at a standstill, sources say
- Two sources also said local airlines were approached to ‘substantially’ slash the number of mainland flights
The government has floated a highly controversial idea to stop mainland Chinese passengers from transiting through Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), in an attempt to help combat the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, the Post has learned.
But because of strong resistance from the aviation industry, discussions led by the Transport and Housing Bureau are at a standstill, according to people familiar with the matter.
Two sources also said local airlines were approached to "substantially" slash the number of mainland flights, which would have serious financial implications for the companies and sparked questions on how to compensate passengers affected.
The bureau has been contacted for comment.
HKIA is a major international transit hub and more than 50 per cent of passengers carried by Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong's flagship airline, are connecting travellers.
Cathay has recently focused more on transit passengers, which authorities see as a coronavirus transmission threat, to counter the effects of visitors avoiding Hong Kong because of ongoing anti-government protests and a boycott by mainland customers.
Airlines ramping up efforts to contain risk of transmission among staff, passengers
The ideas were not well received and it was unclear what authorities might propose instead, but the sources said officials were serious about ensuring Hong Kong's border was more secure.
The government, meanwhile, continued to defend its response to the coronavirus threat amid a perceived lack of action amid mounting calls to close the border.
"The government is studying measures to further reduce the flow of people between Hong Kong and the mainland to lower the chances of infected persons entering Hong Kong," a government statement said, as the city remains in the highest state of emergency to tackle the outbreak.
Since Monday, residents of Hubei, of which Wuhan is the provincial capital, and those who had visited the area in the past 14 days, have been denied entry to Hong Kong. Some 394 people have been turned away so far.
Citizens from the mainland are also required from across to fill up health declaration forms but air travellers are not required to do so.
Attempting to block transit passengers might badly affect business, given HKIA's bread-and-butter role as one of Asia's busiest international airports and a popular air transit hub.
The China market is the biggest outside Hong Kong for both local airlines.
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