"Remote bay offers Hong Kong airlines lower cost"

Saturday, February 5, 2005

Remote bay offers airlines lower cost
China - The Hong Kong Standard


In a move that may attract more budget airlines to the territory, Hong Kong
International Airport has opened its first remote bay that can help airlines
cut costs.

Normally, planes use parking bays next to the terminal building, and are
towed clear at departure by airport contractors. The new bay allows aircraft
to unload passengers and then move forward under their own power after
taking new passengers aboard, thus saving on towing fees. ``It can leave
directly,'' an Airport Authority spokesman said Friday of the ``power
in-power out'' type of bay.

The downside is that passengers must take a five-minute shuttle bus journey
to or from the remote bay.

``Three or four'' more bays are planned next year depending on demand, the
spokesman said. Total investment would be a ``few tens of millions'' of
dollars, he said.

No airline is using the new bay yet, and it was not particularly designed
for cash conscious low-cost carriers.

``It isn't reserved [for low-cost carriers], any airline can use it if they
feel it is suitable for them,'' he said.

The airport terminal building has 48 gates with 27 standard remote bays on
the apron. Currently, Hong Kong is served by budget airlines based in other
countries, such as Valuair, Orient Thai and Jetstar Asia. Locally-based
Oasis Hong Kong Airlines said this week it hoped to start operation late
this year with flights to Berlin and Cologne. Permanent Secretary for
Economic Development and Labour Sandra Lee has ruled out using an open-sky
policy, subsidies and other measures to support low-cost carrier start-ups.


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