Volatile scenes of riot police clashing with pro-democracy demonstrators last night were broadcast globally, as anti-government protests against the government’s (suspended) extradition bill entered their tenth week. The Airport Authority of Hong Kong (AAHK) cancelled flights for a second day in a row on Tuesday, affecting hundreds of passengers, with peaceful protests later descending into skirmishes with police.
Bubbling tensions between both sides combined with flight terminations from the likes of Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines, among others, had raised concerns of a hit on retail operations – CDF-Lagardère, The Shilla Duty Free and Gebr. Heinemann all run concessions at HKIA.
Sources close to the matter have told TRBusiness that the commercial situation with regards to duty free and travel retail shops is stable, but unsurprisingly there is expected to be some knock-on impact while full operations are resumed.
“It will take a while for the flights to be back on 100%,” commented Scott Hamilton, Business Director (Spirits, Wines & Beer) – Asia, Lagardère Travel Retail. Airside (after customs) it is business as usual; from a commercial perspective due to traffic flow, delays and uncertainty of schedules business is down from our expectations which is only natural.”
A source at The Shilla Duty Free, which runs the Beauty&You concept stores, said: “[The situation] is ok. Everyone will know there will be some impact for all retailers overall.”
TRBusiness has also reached out to Gebr. Heinemann, which runs its Sweet Dreams by Heinemann confectionery stores, and will aim to bring you further updates as appropriate.
Airports Council International Asia-Pacific (ACI Asia-Pacific) has condemned the disruption on HKIA’s operations, which has affected travel. The voice of Asia Pacific’s airports says the protests have resulted in a sizeable impact to the airport’s business and security risks, over consecutive days.
In a statement, it said: “We stand in solidarity with our colleagues at Hong Kong International Airport and Airport Authority Hong Kong. “The aviation industry is a close-knit community and together, we stand firm and united in bringing people together, ensuring the safety and security of the travelling public by offering a network of safe and secure airports.”
At the time of writing, flights on Wednesday were running, but some delays and cancellations are expected following the public gatherings, which have blocked key through-routes to immigration and the airport restricted area.
“Hong Kong International Airport will implement flight rescheduling today (14 August) with flight movement expected to be affected,” read a notice on the airport’s website. Passengers are reminded to pay attention to the latest flight information through the airport’s website and ‘HKG My Flight’ mobile app. Please confirm flights before heading to the airport. Passengers can also check with their airlines for the latest flight information.”
AAHK is implementing access control at terminal buildings to control terminal and flight operations and to ensure the safety of its employees and passengers. Only passengers due to board flights in the next 24 hours or airport staff with relevant identification will be able to enter the terminal buildings until further notice.
Non-travellers have been advised not to travel to the airport unless absolutely necessary. Moreover, the airport is executing additional access control measures. AAHK says it has obtained an interim injunction to restrain persons from ‘unlawfully and willfully obstructing or interfering with the proper use of HKIA’.
Separately, research from ForwardKeys suggests travellers’ confidence has been shaken due to the ongoing turbulence in the special administrative territory, a trend that looks set to continue. Between 16 June – 09 August, a period characterised by a two million strong-demonstration, general strikes and riots, flight bookings to Hong Kong from *Asian markets declined by 20.2% compared to the same period year-on-year.
In the first 14 days, bookings dropped by 9% and by 2.2% in the following fortnight (30 June – 13 July). The situation deteriorated from the 14 July to 09 August, with a 33.4% decline in bookings. ForwardKeys says this reverses the positive travel trend in the first six-and-a-half months of the year, when bookings where up by 6.6%.
David Tarsh, Spokesman for ForwardKeys, said: “The situation in Hong Kong has deteriorated substantially in the past eight weeks and particularly so in the past four. During June and early July, ForwardKeys saw no decline in long-haul bookings to Hong Kong; however, that is no longer the case.
“From 16th June to 9th August, long-haul bookings to Hong Kong are now 4.7% down on the equivalent period last year. Furthermore, ForwardKeys’ latest numbers do not yet include the events of Monday, when all flights were cancelled and video of police clearing protestors from the airport were beamed around the world; so ForwardKeys is not optimistic about reporting a recovery in the immediate future.”
Credit: TRBusiness
