XN000022-1996-05-29 — Page 31

-

14

-

Designation of more than one Hong Kong airline on any route would be considered only in circumstances where it was judged that more competition was needed in the public interest and that the traffic was sufficient to sustain a substantial operation by more than one Hong Kong airline. It would not be in Hong Kong's trade and other economic interests to see internecine competition by Hong Kong airlines weakening their overall ability to compete against foreign airlines.

There are other circumstances where the Government is prepared to exercise flexibility. They are:

(a)

(b)

where one airline has been licensed and designated for a route, but for commercial reasons chooses not to or ceases to serve that route or does not operate services on it satisfactorily, consideration would be given to designating another licensed airline in place of the first; and

where the primary roles of the airlines licensed to serve a route are different. There are routes, such as Hong Kong/Manchester and Hong Kong/Osaka where, in addition to an airline primarily carrying passengers, there is a second designated airline carrying air freight only.

In conclusion, the general rule of one airline, one route has served Hong Kong well up to the present and the Government sees no reason for change.

End

BN(O) passports for CI holders

Following is a question by the Hon Howard Young and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

With regard to the large number of applications by holders of Certificate of Identity (CI) for naturalisation which will lead to an increase in the number of applications for British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passports, will the Government inform this Council of the steps which it will take:

(a)

to ensure that there will be no time gap between a successful applicant's surrender of a CI and receipt of a BN(O) passport; and