Macau International Airport 2023 Media Spring Luncheon Dynamic Adjustment and Extensive Preparation for the Best Come

Macau International Airport (MIA) hosted the 2023 Media Spring Luncheon on 23rd February 2023, expressing sincere thanks for the support from media. With threats of recurring mutation of the virus in 2022, the recovery of the world economy and the air transport industry is still hindered. Under the influence of the outbreak in 2022, MIA received 599 thousands passengers in 2022 with a year-on-year decrease of 48% while 13,642 aircraft movements were handled, representing a yearly decline of 14%. In terms of the cargo market, a steady growth was maintained with cargo volume of 51,400 tonnes was handled with a year-on-year increase of 6% in 2022. Under the all-out support from the Central Government and the SAR Government, along with the guidance from the corporate management, and all the concern and guidance from media friends, the MIA team continues to calmly overcome challenges and difficulties and surmount obstacles together.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Macau International Airport Company Limited (CAM) Mr. Ma Iao Hang stated that the local air transport industry has been among the hardest hit by the Coronavirus pandemic in 2022. MIA operators are estimated to achieve 1.4 billion patacas with a year-on-year decrease of 32%. CAM upholds the concept of win-win cooperation and tides over the difficulties together with airlines and airport operators. Despite the fact that CAM is facing operating losses, CAM continues to support and offer relief measures to airlines and airport operators, so as to incentivize them to maintain services for passengers and the industry in the hard time and to alleviate their operating pressure brought by the epidemic. The incentive and relief offered to eligible airlines and operators since the global outbreak in 2020 till 2022 amounted to around 130 million patacas.

Though the epidemic hits the industry severely, MIA has been keeping up the pace on airport development to enhance the airport security, environment, operation management and passenger services in various aspects, as well as striving to provide the public and passengers with high quality airport experience. In October 2022, Macau SAR Government received official approval from the State Council for the expansion and reclamation of Macau International Airport. CAM has established the leading group and task force to follow up the land reclamation plan, and start the preliminary works such as scientific research, design works and fund planning for the preparation of land reclamation afterwards. The overall design work for “Renovation for MIA Terminal 2 and Heliport Project” has been completed and approved by the relevant authorized entities and continues to work with the relevant departments on the confirmation of the contract content so as to carry out the subsequent project preparation and renovation works in a timely manner. The South Extension Project of Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) has been completed and the boarding gates have been opened with the operational demands and service providers are gradually being introduced through tendering to provide passengers with more diversified services. Upon the formal launch of the South Extension, the annual capacity of PTB will be increased to 10 million passengers. In addition, the renovation project of the Baggage Handling System (BHS) has been completed with a designed annual handling capacity of 10 million passengers.

In response to the latest security and operational requirements, the BHS was upgraded with seamless Hold Baggage Screen (HBS) process while adopting the RFID technology for tracking the checked baggage and set up an additional oversized baggage handling area to meet passengers’ needs, so as to optimize the efficiency of operation services and continue to enhance passenger experiences with high quality services. Along with the gradual liberalization of the immigration policy of various regions, MIA is actively promoting the market resumption and expansion of passenger and cargo transportation. At present, the situation of receiving slot applications for international flights is desirable, with a 20% increase compared to last year. A number of airlines have set up flight resumption plans: new carriers will be successively introduced launching air service to Bangkok, Haikou and Singapore starting from March 2023, meanwhile, some airlines are currently planning to launch new routes of Jeju, Phnom Penh and Maldives to Macau by this year. Through the expansion of the route network, MIA is striving to enable passengers with more travel options.

According to the forecast of International Air Transport Association (IATA), it is optimistic for the global aviation industry in 2023, despite growing economic uncertainties as global GDP growth slows to 1.3% (2.9% in 2022). Passenger demand is expected to reach 85.5% of 2019 levels throughout the year of 2023 and passenger numbers are expected to surpass the four billion mark for the first time since 2019, while passenger demand growing faster than passenger capacity. Looking ahead, MIA will continue adhering to the core value of “Safety, Efficiency and Effectiveness”, and constantly promoting the steady recovery of the international passenger market to grasp the changes in the surrounding environment and industry trend. Focusing on the needs of passenger, MIA is ready for future development in final push and looks forward to the full resumption of aviation industry with new appearance and service of international level in the post-epidemic era.

Management of CAM in the luncheon: Chairman of the Board of Directors of CAM Mr. Ma Iao Hang, Chairman of the Executive Committee of CAM Dr. Deng Jun, two Executive Directors of CAM Mr. Kan Cheok Kuan, Mr. Leung Henry Yee Hang, and Department Directors include: Director of Finance and Administration Department Ms. Grace Cheang, Director of Planning and Commercial Development Department Ms. Winnie Hsu, Director of Executive Committee Office Ms. Katy Lo, Director of Legal Department Mr. Anthony U, Director of Infrastructure Development Department Mr. Sandro Kou, Director of Corporate Communication & Policy Research Office Ms. Vicki Mou, Director of Logistics and General Aviation Development Department Mr. Frank Wu and Director of Internal Audit Department Mr. Derek Chan.