Hong Kong forwarders welcome shelving of planned security charge hike

The Hongkong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics (HAFFA) has welcomed the decision of an unnamed airline to shelve a planned security charge hike, originally due to be introduced on March 20, and has voiced its “heartfelt gratitude “to the Hong Kong SAR Government for its support.

Air Cargo News understands that the airline in question is not Cathay Pacific.

In a statement, HAFFA said: “The substantial security charge increase from a major airline would have placed an additional burden on the industry, further damaging trade at a time when it faces unprecedented challenges brought, in part, by the China-US trade war and the Covid-19 pandemic.”

When the price increase was announced by the airline on March 6, 2020, HAFFA immediately commenced a campaign, joining forces with the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council to communicate members’ concerns to the Hong Kong SAR Government, and lobbied to appeal to the airline to revoke the decision.

Commented HAFFA chairman Brian Wu: “Security charges have been a long-standing issue for our members, and have a very negative impact on Hong Kong’s competitiveness. The security charge increase would have had a detrimental impact on both our members and on overall trade.

“We are delighted to have succeeded in making the airline shelve the planned hike, and will continue to utilize every method available to us to protect the best interests of HAFFA members.”

Wu continued: “We thank the Hong Kong SAR Government for its valuable support in this matter. The freight logistics industry is now facing unprecedented challenges, only close cooperation and industry joint actions we can overcome the difficulties together.

“In addition, we encourage all practitioners of the industry to join HAFFA in order to stay abreast of the latest information, and to continue to build a stronger more cohesive industry together.”