Opening the skies: Should Hong Kong speed up the liberalisation of its air services regime?

The Hong Kong government is committed to a gradual liberalisation of Hong Kong’s air services. But with passengers in Europe – and many other parts of Asia -- benefitting from the cheap tickets of low-cost carriers, should Hong Kong be liberalising faster? Would doing so hit highly profitable Cathay Pacific? Will not doing so threaten Hong Kong’s status as the premier air hub serving south China?

•	Is the current policy progressive liberalisation working – should it be speeded up?
•	Who benefits most from the current regime?
•	Do passengers and other users lose out?
•	What would the impact of open skies be on Cathay Pacific?
•	What are the long-term economic implications of the current policy for Hong Kong?
•	Why don’t budget airlines operate in and out of Hong Kong?
•	Is there a case for throwing Hong Kong’s aviation regime open overnight?

Meeting structure
The key-note presentation and first session establish a framework for thinking about what’s going on in Hong Kong now, contrasting it with what is happening elsewhere. The second session looks at responses Hong Kong should be considering to maintain its current strong position.

Key-note presentation: Experiences from another market

Session A
The big picture: Establishing whether there is a case to be answered for faster liberalisation

•	What’s happening elsewhere in the world, and the impact it is having on air travel
•	What’s happening in Hong Kong; why current policy is as it is
•	The economic benefits and costs of the current regime; who wins under the current set-up, and who loses out
•	What’s going in China

Session B
Specific changes worth considering

•	Is the government pro-active enough?
•	-What would be the impact on passengers and other users?
•	What would be the impact on Cathay Pacific
•	Does the government pay too much attention to Cathay’s interests?
•	Does doing so pose a long-term threat to Hong Kong’s role as an aviation hub?
•	Should more attention be paid to mainland developments?
•	What’s going in China
•	If so, what should be done?

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