HK airport seen to cut rates

SINGAPORE: The Hong Kong Airport Authority may follow Taiwan and Singapore in reducing costs to help airlines weather the devastating fallout from the SARS outbreak, a regional airline grouping said on Wednesday.

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has singled out the Hong Kong airport operator for keeping landing and other fees unchanged despite heavy losses by the region's carriers as people cancel travel plans for fear of catching the sometimes fatal SARS virus.

"From contacts we have had with the Hong Kong Airport Authority, we are reasonably confident that they will follow the example of others and offer the same concessions to the airlines," said AAPA director-general Richard Stirland.

Following an appeal by AAPA, which groups 17 regional airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore announced a 30 percent rebate on aircraft landing fees for carriers using Changi Airport and the smaller Seletar Airport from May 1 to December 31.

Taiwan on April 15 also announced cuts in fees and rents for airlines. -- AFP