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| Airport Authority Hong Kong's Chief Operating Officer Vivian Cheung poses during an interview with The Korea Times at a hotel in Seoul, May 11. Courtesy of Hong Kong International Airport |
By Lee Hae-rin
Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), the operator of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), is aiming to attract global attention through its free air tickets giveaway campaign called "World of Winners."
The campaign aims to "let everyone know that Hong Kong is back to normal," after the social upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vivian Cheung, chief operating officer of AAHK, said during a recent interview with The Korea Times.
The free tickets were purchased in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
"At the time, airlines had hard times because there was no flight, no passengers moving around. So many countries started to put together some resources to help the aviation industry, same as in Hong Kong, hoping that when the pandemic is over, we can use the tickets to provide free trips for people to come to Hong Kong," she said.
Following the launch of the global campaign in March, the airport authority gave away 80,000 free economy-class round-trip air tickets to Southeast Asia and 140,000 for mainland China. In Korea, over 24,000 tickets, which is 5 percent of the global campaign's total of 500,000, are being distributed in phases.
The campaign has turned out to be a success in drawing Korea's attention. Around Tuesday at noon, Cathay Pacific Airways, one of Hong Kong's four local airlines participating in the campaign, saw extremely heavy web traffic surpassing 120,000 people.
To be eligible, contestants were required to sign up for free Cathay membership on the airline's website and submit to the first-come-first-served event page. However, most contestants had to wait for over an hour just to create an account before noon and waited another hour to see their results. The event was initially scheduled to last for a week but ended within 65 minutes as all 10,602 tickets were given away.
"The original idea was a lucky draw. But many countries such as Korea do not allow gambling," Cheung said, explaining that the event will be operated on a first-come-first-served basis, because that is the only feasible way according to the local law.
"Even if you don't win the ticket, they'll find another opportunity to visit Hong Kong. So this is a campaign to send the message and to arouse attention," Cheung said, explaining that although the airport authority does not have exact figures, it believes that the campaign will eventually bring in more than the estimated 1.5 million visitors.
The campaign will continue over two months. Greater Bay Airlines is running a social media event through two phases to give away its share of free tickets, while Hong Kong Airlines launched its first-come-first-served online distribution starting at 10 a.m., Wednesday. Hong Kong Express will distribute its share of free tickets via travel agencies in Korea.
Upon arrival, visitors will experience upgraded airport facilities including seamless and automated technology and renovated infrastructure.
"Our airport city will be completed in phases starting 2025, which will be another landmark," she said, referring to the entertainment complex under construction. It includes hotels, office buildings, 800 retail shops, 120 dining concepts and a concert venue with 20,000 seats, which will be Hong Kong's largest indoor entertainment hub once completed.
As of this month, the HKIA has seen a 50 percent recovery in passenger traffic compared to the pre-pandemic levels from 2019, with a daily average of 100,000 travelers. The airport authority expects the airport to reach 80 percent recovery by the end of this year and a full recovery by the end of 2024.
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