Hong Kong airport departure tax increased to HK$200 to be implemented from October 1

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on May 28, the Hong Kong Legislative Council passed an amendment to increase the departure tax for air passengers in the third reading. It will be implemented on October 1 this year. The relevant tax per passenger will increase from HK$120 to HK$200. It is estimated that the Hong Kong government's annual revenue will increase by about HK$1.6 billion.

Hong Kong's Acting Secretary for Treasury Chan Ho-rim said that when considering tax increases, the Hong Kong government has made a balance between increasing revenue and reducing the impact on passengers. It has been more than 20 years since the last time the air passenger departure tax was raised. The cumulative inflation during this period is roughly similar to the proposed increase. The impact of the increase on air passengers' travel expenses is very slight. He believes that this tax increase will not give travelers a big incentive to travel at other airports. This tax increase is an appropriate open source measure, and the 80 yuan increase is also a reasonable and affordable level.

He mentioned that the Hong Kong Government announced earlier the relaxation of the exemption criteria under the Ordinance. Passengers must arrive and depart from Hong Kong on the same day to be exempt from departure tax. It will extend the exemption to those who can leave Hong Kong by air on the next calendar day, that is, up to 48 hours. It will also extend the scope of exemption to those arriving in Hong Kong connecting at land and sea ports to attract more travelers to transit through Hong Kong Airport and enhance the airport's competitiveness.