The 4.04 million passengers who travelled via Macao’s airport between January and October represent just over half of the total recorded in pre-pandemic 2019.
Macau International Airport
Two senior logistics professionals tell a business breakfast gathering that the Greater Bay Area’s transport network has potential for growth but speedbumps lie ahead.
Just over half of passengers flew in or out of the mainland, and more than a third used Southeast Asian routes.
Macao’s airport operator says it’s working to establish more mid- and long-haul flight routes to help boost visitor numbers.
The news comes as the government makes moves to liberalise the local aviation sector and end the monopoly of Air Macau, of which Ho is also a director.
Last year saw airport operations ‘profoundly affected’ by the pandemic, CAM says, announcing its 2022 financial performance.
But the territory is pinning its hopes on revived passenger numbers with the ending of Covid-19 restrictions.
Officials record more than 76,000 passengers and 620 flights during holiday week; Air Asia, China Southern and other regional airlines to resume operations soon.
Travellers entering mainland China from Macao, with no overseas travel history within past 7 days, will no longer need to provide negative NAT results prior to departure.