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Manning scales for airport immigration control
Following is a question by the Hon Paul Cheng Ming-fun and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
In regard to the problem of arriving passengers forming long queues to await immigration clearance at the immigration counters at the Hong Kong International Airport, will the Government inform this Council :
(a) of the criteria adopted in determining the manning scales for immigration control at the airport:
Reply:
(b) when these criteria were last reviewed; and
(c) what measures the Government will take to improve the situation?
Mr President,
(a) The manning level for immigration control at the Airport is based on two factors:
(i) the passenger traffic flow, which fluctuates daily depending on flight arrival and departure schedules, and seasonal variations (with higher traffic during festive seasons and holidays); and
(ii)our performance pledge of clearing 92% of passengers within a
waiting time of 30 minutes.
(b) We keep the first factor under review, and make staff deployment changes to meet the changing demand. Under normal times, the number of counters manned is 54 for the departure level and 72 for the arrival level. The number of arrival counters manned can be increased by 12 to 13 during peak periods. Immigration Department can also vary the staffing shifts to cope with daily fluctuations in demand.