Photo of Hongkong night skyline

Hong Kong is an autonomous territory located in southeast China. This vibrant, densely populated urban center is a major port and global financial hub. Hong Kong consistently ranks as one of the world’s most competitive economic entities.

In this article, we will look at the requirements for GA operators flying to this popular destination.

Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong International Airport (IATA: HKG, ICAO: VHHH) handled 68.5 million passengers in 2015, making it the eighth busiest airport worldwide by passenger traffic. Since 2010, it has also been ranked as the world’s busiest airport by cargo traffic.

The airport has a dedicated GA terminal which provides a full range of aviation support services, including 24-hour customs and immigration, ground handling, fuel uplifts and lounges for passengers and crew.

Photo of Hongkong International Airport

Hong Kong International Airport is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, which consists mostly of reclaimed land.

Prior Permission Required (PPR) and Landing Permits

VHHH is a thriving international hub, with Air Traffic Control (ATC) constantly working to maintain an efficient flow of traffic. For this reason, Prior Permission Required (PPR) and landing permit requirements are among the most important considerations when operating into Hong Kong.

PPR is required for all private and charter flights to Hong Kong, with the exception of emergency landings. Once PPR is approved, a confirmation number will be issued. This number is then used by the ground handler and airport authorities to track your aircraft. Due to congestion levels, PPR is rarely approved for more than 48 hours parking time. Please note that hangar space for GA aircraft is limited, and can be expensive.

The lead time for obtaining a landing permit is generally around three working days. However, first time operators to VHHH are recommended to submit their requests at least two weeks in advance of arrival. All necessary documents (including noise and insurance certificates) should be submitted together with the permit request. It may be necessary to make corrections to the request form, or to obtain additional documents. Operators will experience a faster turnaround time if the CAA already has their documentation on record.

Once approved, landing permits are valid for a period of 72 hours. Any changes outside of this window will require the permit application to be resubmitted. This includes any changes in passenger or crew information.

Airport Slots

Obtaining airport slots can be challenging at VHHH. This is especially true at night, and during holiday periods. GA operators need to be flexible with their schedules, as their preferred times may not always be available. Priority is generally given to scheduled commercial operations, then to cargo flights, and finally to GA. Once approved, Air Traffic Control (ATC) will advise on the permitted routing to fly.

Due to the high levels of scheduled commercial flights at VHHH, it is unusual for GA flights to be approved during peak operating hours. These occur during morning departures (07:00 – 11:00 local time) and evening arrivals (17:00 – 22:00). Between 23:59 – 06:00, no slots are available for GA operators at all due to reduced runway movements.

Slots are arranged in five-minute intervals, with a deviation of +/- 20 minutes. Flights which miss their approved slot times will still be allowed to land or depart, however the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will send an official letter to the operator requesting an explanation. Operators who are frequently late may find themselves placed on lower priority for any future slot requests.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) Coordination

The majority of the coordination with ATC at VHHH will be taken care of by the ground handler. The flight plan is submitted to them first, allowing for any corrections to be made before it is sent to ATC. After checking to ensure that all routings, altitudes and arrival/departure procedures are correct the flight plan is submitted digitally, directly onto the ATC’s computer system. All flight plans must be filed with ATC at least one hour prior to departure. It is always recommended to submit the necessary documentation at the earliest opportunity, in case any corrections may be required before filing.

At VHHH, it is mandatory for all aircraft to have TCAS II or better. MNPS, RVSM, and RNAV 1 certifications are also required. In addition, Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) certification/equipment is mandatory at certain flight levels within Hong Kong airspace.

Customs and Immigration

Upon arrival, passengers will either walk (if parked close to the GA Terminal) or be transported to the lounge. Ground handling staff will then collect their passports and ensure that arrival cards have been completed correctly. Passenger’s baggage is brought in for screening while this process is taking place. Clearance usually takes approximately 15-20 minutes, for up to 10 passengers. Customs and immigration officers have to be brought in from the main terminal for clearing GA arrivals. These arrangements will be made in advance by your ground handler, and can cost several hundred US dollars.

Weather Considerations

Note that typhoons may occur in the Hong Kong region during the rainy season between June and September. VHHH can face temporary closures at this time of year, due to exceptionally heavy rain events. Ramp activities occasionally have to be shut down because of thunderstorm activity, to allow ground staff to shelter indoors. These conditions are most prevalent during the summer months. The region generally experiences very mild winters.

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Jetex Beijing
Tel: +86 10 6454 2688
Email: china@jetex.com