Month: October 2025

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Special arrangements at LCSD venues during Mid-Autumn Festival

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will extend the opening hours or make special arrangements at the following venues during the Mid-Autumn Festival period:
 
Aldrich Bay Park (Eastern District)
– Water Feature and Fisherman Hut Pavilion
October 6: 6.30am to 11pm (extended by half an hour)
 
Jordan Valley Park (Kwun Tong District)
October 6: 5am to midnight (extended by one hour)
 
Ngau Chi Wan Park (Wong Tai Sin District)
October 6: 6.30am to midnight (extended by one hour)
 
Central Lawn of Victoria Park (Wan Chai District)
October 7: Temporarily closed from 2am to 5am for cleaning operations
 
     The LCSD appeals to members of the public to keep places clean and tidy, not to burn wax or fly sky lanterns when celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.
  
     “To ensure the enjoyment of the festivity in a good environment, we are appealing to members of the public not to burn or melt wax, and not to sprinkle or pour liquids onto hot wax. Candles should be placed in metal or non-flammable containers for collecting the melted wax and disposing of it in litter bins after the containers have cooled,” a spokesman for the LCSD said.
 
     “Moreover, members of the public should not throw glow sticks or other objects onto trees, as doing so may cause damage to the trees and affect the cleanliness of venues. Do not fly sky lanterns, which may cause injury to yourself or others, or damage to property and facilities.”
  
     The spokesman said that the LCSD will deploy staff to step up patrols at its venues (including parks, public beaches and barbecue sites) on October 6, and to take enforcement actions against littering, wax burning, throwing objects onto trees and flying sky lanterns.
 
     Members of the public may call the LCSD hotline on 2414 5555 to report any wax burning or sky lantern flying, or other non-compliance found at LCSD venues.
  
     Under the Pleasure Grounds Regulation, no person shall, in any pleasure ground, melt or burn any wax, sprinkle or pour any liquid onto any hot wax, damage any part of any tree, shrub or plant, or fly kites, model aircraft, balloons or other devices (including sky lanterns). Under the Bathing Beaches Regulation, no person shall, on any bathing beach, do any act which is likely to endanger or obstruct any other person using the beach, or damage, deface or pollute the beach or anything situated thereon. Any convicted person is liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and 14 days’ imprisonment.
  
     The LCSD will issue to littering offenders a fixed penalty notice with a fine of $3,000. Persons who burn wax, throw objects onto trees or fly sky lanterns may be prosecuted.

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Ombudsman announces results of full investigation into Transport Department’s lack of transparency in relocating toll point at Western Harbour Crossing (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 3) announced the completion of a full investigation into the Transport Department (TD)’s lack of transparency in relocating the toll point at the Western Harbour Crossing (WHC), with nine recommendations on improvement measures made.

The TD has installed a primary and a backup toll point for each direction of travel at all its toll tunnels (including the WHC). When the primary toll point is suspended from service due to facility maintenance or roadworks, the toll collection will be switched to the backup toll point. The TD activates the corresponding Toll Information Display to indicate the toll point in operation. Upon review, the TD confirmed that on the southbound lane of the WHC only two locations (the Kowloon entrance and the Hong Kong Island exit) were suitable for installing toll points. The two locations are approximately two kilometres apart, a distance greater than the typical 200-metre separation between primary and backup toll points at other tunnels. As a result, there is a noticeable interval between the times for those vehicles passing through the two toll points during the transition time slot, thus affecting the toll charged.  

Mr Chan said, “The Office of The Ombudsman (Office) received three complaints in which the complainants alleged that when they had driven southbound through the WHC towards Hong Kong Island during the transition time slot in the morning between February and March 2025, they noticed that the Toll Information Display at the Kowloon entrance did not show the real-time tolls, and the tolls charged were slightly higher than what they understood as the usual rate. One of the complainants called the HKeToll customer service hotline (Hotline) to enquire about the matter, but the frontline staff were unable to provide the precise location of the toll point. The complainants criticised the TD for lack of transparency and found it confusing that the TD had relocated the toll point without prior notice.

“The Office’s investigation found that the TD had deactivated the primary toll point on the southbound lane of the WHC from January to March 2025 due to roadworks, and the toll collection was switched to the backup toll point. As the Hotline staff were unfamiliar with the locations of the toll points, they were unable to respond to enquiries properly. It is understandable that the relocation of a toll point is required for operational needs. However, the TD would merely turn off the Toll Information Display to indicate that a toll point was inactive. We consider this practice unsatisfactory. Moreover, nearly a month after the toll collection had been switched to the backup toll point, the Hotline staff were still unclear about its location and could not properly respond to the complainant’s enquiry, indicating that the TD had not provided Hotline staff with essential and most updated information in advance, nor had it attached importance to training,” he said.

Following the launch of the full investigation into this case, the TD has responded positively and has started to improve information dissemination regarding the relocation of toll points on the southbound lane of WHC to enhance transparency. The TD will notify the public of a relocation by displaying a conspicuous banner on the HKeToll website and mobile app, and via the TD’s website and the HKeMobility mobile app, and on variable message signs along relevant road sections. The current practice of turning off the Toll Information Display at the inactive toll point will be modified to keeping it on to display a message about the relocation of the toll point. The TD has also instructed the management of the relevant toll service provider to strengthen staff training and ensure proper responses to public enquiries. 

Overall, the Office has made nine recommendations for improvements to the TD, which mainly include: closely follow up on the system enhancement works for improving information dissemination, and strengthen supervision of the progress of contractors; conduct timely reviews of the effectiveness and operation of the improvement measures; further consider and explore more effective ways to disseminate information about toll point relocations; consider liaising closely with other government departments (such as the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department); step up monitoring of the performance of the HKeToll hotline service provider and clearly set out in operational guidelines the arrangements prior to toll point relocations for compliance by staff. The TD has accepted and implemented all of these recommendations. 

The full investigation report has been uploaded to the website of the Office of The Ombudsman at www.ombudsman.hk for public information.

  

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Appointment of Chairman of Air Transport Licensing Authority announced

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (October 3) the appointment of Mr Victor Dawes, SC, as the Chairman of the Air Transport Licensing Authority with effect from September 11, 2025, to July 31, 2027.

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, said, “We are confident that under Mr Dawes’s chairmanship, the team of serving members, with their expertise and backgrounds in different sectors, will continue to make valuable contributions to the work of the Authority in facilitating the development of air services in Hong Kong.

     “The Government is most grateful to the former Chairman, Mr Eugene Fung Ting-sek, for his invaluable contribution to the Authority for over five years. His term of service expired on September 11, 2025.”

The appointment has been published in the Government Gazette today.

The Authority is an independent statutory body established under the Air Transport (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations (Cap. 448A). It is responsible for considering applications from airlines of Hong Kong for licences to operate scheduled services to and from Hong Kong in accordance with the provisions of the said regulations. The Authority comprises a chairman and eight non-official members. The membership list with effect from September 11, 2025, is as follows:

Chairman
Mr Victor Dawes, SC

Members
Mr Chan Chi-kin
Professor Fong Yuk-fai 
Ms Fung Po-yee
Ms Jasmine Lee Shun-yi
Mr Alan Lui Siu-lun 
Mr Suen Jenkin, SC
Miss Sara Tong See-pui, SC
Ms Avon Yue Nga-fong

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Public urged to observe fire safety and keep countryside clean

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (October 3) reminded the public to observe fire safety and keep the countryside clean during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

“During the Mid-Autumn Festival, visitors shall light or use fire only in designated barbecue sites or designated camping sites in country parks and special areas, and ensure all kindling is fully extinguished before leaving to prevent hill fires,” an AFCD spokesman said.

“It is an offence under the Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96) to illegally light or use a fire in country parks and the open countryside. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and one year’s imprisonment upon conviction.”

The spokesman also reminded visitors to keep the countryside clean and properly dispose of waste. Anyone who commits a littering offence in a country park area is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000. The AFCD will step up patrols at country parks and take enforcement action against any irregularities.

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Maximum daily rates of reimbursable medical expenses adjusted for employees injured at work and occupational disease sufferers

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Labour Department (LD) today (October 3) announced that the maximum daily rates of medical expenses reimbursable by employees injured at work and prescribed occupational disease sufferers who have received medical treatment in respect of a work injury or a prescribed occupational disease will be adjusted from January 1, 2026. 
 
The Legislative Council on September 26 passed two resolutions to increase the maximum daily rate of medical expenses for out-patient treatment under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (ECO) and the Pneumoconiosis and Mesothelioma (Compensation) Ordinance (PMCO) from $300 to $500 and the maximum daily rate of medical expenses for in-patient and out-patient treatment received on the same day from $370 to $700, while maintaining the maximum daily rate of medical expenses for in-patient treatment at $300, enabling injured employees and prescribed occupational disease sufferers to receive enhanced protection on medical expenses.  
 
“In general, the revised rates can cover the expenses incurred by injured employees and prescribed occupational disease sufferers on consultation, treatment/therapy, injection and dressing, medicines and hospitalisation, etc, on a day in a public hospital or clinic,” a spokesman for the LD said.
 
Under the ECO and the PMCO, injured employees and prescribed occupational disease sufferers who have received medical treatment in respect of a work injury or a prescribed occupational disease may claim reimbursement of the actual amount of medical expenses incurred, subject to the maximum daily rates specified in the two Ordinances.
 
The revised maximum daily rates of reimbursable medical expenses were gazetted today and will take effect from January 1, 2026. For medical treatment received on or after the effective date meeting the relevant provisions of the ECO or the PMCO, the new maximum daily rates of reimbursable medical expenses will be applicable.

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Six persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Six persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photo) 
     During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided 17 target locations including renovation sites, restaurants and food stalls, etc. Four suspected illegal workers and a suspected employer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers were women aged 39 to 51. A woman aged 49 was suspected of employing the illegal workers and was also arrested.
 
     An investigation into suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
 
     An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”
 
     The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
 
     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
 
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
 
     For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, 24-hour Immigration Offences Hotline 2824 1551, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 18:03

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Property sales rise 6.3%

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Land Registry logged 6,870 sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in September, up 6.3% compared with August and 78.8% higher year-on-year.

The total consideration for such agreements in September increased 11.9% from the previous month to $53.5 billion, representing a 11.9% year-on-year growth.

Of the agreements, 5,643 were for residential units, amounting to a 6.7% increase from August and a 98.1% rise from a year ago.

The total consideration for residential units was $47.2 billion, up 11.9% compared with August and 126.6% higher year-on-year.

There were 401,196 land register searches last month.

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Keynote speech by SFST at Redefining Hong Kong: Next Generation Wealth (English only) (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Keynote speech by SFST at Redefining Hong Kong: Next Generation Wealth (English only)  
Catherine (Chief Executive Officer of South China Morning Post (SCMP), Ms Catherine So), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     It is my great pleasure to join you all today. Themed around “Guiding Leadership, Innovation, and Legacy”, today’s event gathers family office leaders, next-gen successors, and wealth management professionals to explore together the future of family offices.
 
Hong Kong’s strengths
 
     Amid the current complex global landscape, Hong Kong stands out as a stable and strategic hub under the “one country, two systems” framework. It benefits from the strong support of the Chinese Mainland while maintaining global connectivity, making it ideal for enterprises to establish or expand their presence. Hong Kong acts as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder”, serving as a springboard for Mainland companies to go global and attracting overseas firms. This unique positioning is reflected in top international rankings, where Hong Kong ranked as the world’s freest economy and among the top three most competitive economies. Hong Kong also continues to rank third globally and first in the Asia-Pacific region in the latest Global Financial Centres Index released just last week.
 
     As a leading asset and wealth management centre, Hong Kong’s assets under management reached HK$35.1 trillion as of end-2024, with an 81 per cent surge in fund inflows amounting to HK$705 billion. Within this industry, the family office sector is a vital pillar. Hong Kong’s private banking and private wealth management business attributed to family offices and private trusts clients reached over HK$1,550 billion, underscoring Hong Kong’s appeal among ultra-high-net-worth individuals and reinforcing its status as a global family office hub.
 
Government’s initiatives on family offices
 
     To anchor Hong Kong’s position as the nexus where family legacies and family office expertise converge, the Government has strategically prioritised the development of the family office sector. We have been pressing ahead at full steam to create a conducive environment for family offices, including introducing a preferential tax regime for single family offices, establishing the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy (HKAWL), and introducing and enhancing the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme.
 
     Our efforts have already borne fruit. Our city counted more than 2 700 single family offices, and the recent growth has been remarkable: Invest Hong Kong has successfully supported over 200 family offices in establishing or expanding their operations here, surpassing the target of attracting no less than 200 family offices by end-2025, as outlined in the 2022 Policy Address. As announced in the Policy Address last month, we target to attract an additional 220 family offices to Hong Kong from the year of 2026 to the year of 2028, bringing in an increasing volume of capital, talent, and business opportunities.
 
     The sector’s dynamism is exemplified by the success of the flagship Wealth for Good in Hong Kong (WGHK) Summit, held annually since 2023, highlighting the city’s commitment to developing its asset and wealth management ecosystem and solidifying the city’s family office industry. Looking ahead, we will sustain robust investment promotion efforts and deepen collaboration with key stakeholders.
 
Trends in family office sector
 
     The global family office landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by next-generation leadership transitions, growing interest in philanthropy and impact investing, emerging investment themes such as digital assets, and leveraging insurance as a tool for strategic capital management.
 
     So in my coming speech, I will highlight these areas, in particular how we can help and facilitate the growth of family wealth in these areas.
 
Next-generation leadership transitions
 
     Family offices are increasingly focused on smooth succession planning as leadership transitions to the next generation. In recent years, it is observed that emphasis is placed on the engagement of younger family members, like all of you, to ensure continuity of family values, vision, and also wealth preservation across generations.
 
     Next generation wealth is defined as the transfer and stewardship of assets, financial resources, knowledge, and values from one generation to the next within a family. It encompasses not only the inheritance of tangible assets such as cash, investments, real estate, and businesses, but also the intangible assets like financial literacy, family values, entrepreneurial skills, and social capital that are crucial for preserving and growing wealth across generations. This concept is more than just inheritance; it involves long-term planning, education, governance, and the creation of systems to sustain wealth beyond the original generation. Preparing the next generation involves imparting financial knowledge, fostering responsible management skills, and engaging heirs early to build confidence and establish a lasting legacy.
 
     In this regard, the HKAWL continues to focus on deepening the engagement with next generation wealth owners by curating training and development resources. The HKAWL just celebrated its two-year anniversary last month. Over the last two years, the HKAWL organised two Legacy Summits, which brought global speakers including leaders of prominent family foundations, such as the Rockefeller Foundation, and venture capital firms, to engage with global family principals and next-gens on discussions around philanthropy, impact investing, family governance and wealth management, fostering interaction and exchange within the industry, and facilitating families in creating impact and long-lasting legacies.
 
Growing interest in philanthropy and impact investing
 
     Many asset owners are looking to incorporate philanthropic initiatives into the overall wealth management framework for social betterment. In light of this, we announced the launch of the Impact Link (iLink) initiative in 2024. The iLink, administered by the HKAWL, connects philanthropists with each other and with impactful charity projects, builds a strong community around peers, and offers learning-by-doing opportunities through tangible projects.
 
     In June this year, the iLink Online Portal was launched, bringing together Strategic Partners with some 50 family partners, offering a dedicated platform for invited family philanthropists to discover scalable initiatives that address critical challenges in Hong Kong and beyond.
 
     On capacity building, the HKAWL organised various events and activities under the iLink, engaging global philanthropic foundations such as the Gates Foundation, Yidan Prize Foundation and Fondation de France Asia. These events provided family philanthropists with additional perspectives on deploying philanthropic capital and opportunities to explore collaborative and strategic approaches to philanthropy and impact.
 
     There is also an increasing interest in sustainable investments, which offer attractive risk-adjusted returns amid market uncertainties. The global impact investing market, valued at an estimated US$1.57 trillion, reflects a growing recognition of the need to address critical challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality. This evolution in capital flows and sectoral allocation reflects a global investment trend with broader commitment to resilience and long-term value creation.
 
     Hong Kong, as Asia’s leading international financial centre and sustainable finance hub, stands to contribute much in this aspect. Our capital market offers a wide range of green and sustainable investment products with over 200 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) funds authorised by the SFC (Securities and Futures Commission) with assets under management of over HK$1.1 trillion. The number of ESG funds and assets under management recorded an increase of 51 per cent and 18 per cent respectively from three years ago.
 
     In 2024, the total green and sustainable debt (including bonds and loans) issued in Hong Kong exceeded US$84 billion, representing a growth of around 50 per cent compared with 2021. Among them, the volume of green and sustainable bonds arranged in Hong Kong amounted to around US$43 billion, capturing around 45 per cent of the regional total and ranking first in the Asian market for seven consecutive years since 2018.
 
     We also see the importance of building up market infrastructure to connect capital with climate-related products and opportunities in Hong Kong, the Mainland, Asia and beyond. In 2022, Hong Kong Exchange and Clearing Limited launched Core Climate, an international carbon marketplace to facilitate effective and transparent trading of carbon credits and instruments and to support the global transition to Net Zero.
 
Emerging investment themes: digital assets
 
     Investment diversification is increasingly embracing non-traditional asset classes such as digital assets. Digital assets attract interest from family offices due to their innovation potential and portfolio diversification benefits, supported by growing regulatory clarity globally. A recent industry survey showed that over 70 per cent of family office professionals have either invested in cryptocurrencies or are exploring the possibility. With its unique strengths, Hong Kong is well positioned to bridge traditional finance with the digital asset era.
 
     In June this year, we issued the Policy Statement 2.0 on the Development of Digital Assets in Hong Kong, setting out a vision for a trusted and innovative digital asset ecosystem that prioritises risk management and investor protection, while delivering concrete benefits to the real economy and financial markets. One of the key focuses of the Policy Statement 2.0 is enhancing the legal and regulatory framework that provides a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the digital asset sector.
 
     The digital asset market is developing and evolving rapidly. Guided by the principle of “same activity, same risks, same regulation” under a risk-based approach, the Government will continue to enhance and establish a regulatory framework that reflects local circumstances and aligns with international standards and practices.
 
     To ensure that family offices benefit from these developments in digital assets and sustainable investments, which I just mentioned, we propose including carbon credits and digital assets, among others, as qualifying assets eligible for tax concessions for funds and single family offices. Our target is to introduce the bill into the Legislative Council in the first half of 2026. If approved, the relevant measures will take effect from the current year of assessment (2025/26).
 
Insurance as tool for strategic capital management
 
     For the next-generation stewards of wealth in this room, Hong Kong’s insurance sector is a critical tool for strategic capital management. It has evolved far beyond basic protection into a sophisticated ecosystem for wealth preservation and risk mitigation.
 
     The primary connection lies in comprehensive risk mitigation. The concentration of wealth in a family office creates a concentration of risk. These are not simple risks; they are complex, cross-border, and often unique to your family’s profile. They encompass everything from directors’ liability and cyberattacks targeting your family’s digital footprint to the physical protection of a globally dispersed art collection, real estate portfolio, or fleet of private assets. Hong Kong’s insurers specialise in crafting bespoke, flexible policies for these complex exposures. They act as a critical buffer, transferring major risks away from your core capital and protecting the family’s balance sheet from unforeseen events that could otherwise erode wealth built over generations.
 
     Furthermore, insurance is a powerful tool for legacy and succession planning. While Hong Kong does not have an estate duty, the challenge of transitioning control and assets seamlessly across generations remains. Life insurance products, when structured within a robust financial plan, provide immediate liquidity and can be instrumental in facilitating the smooth transfer of ownership and assets. They can help equalise inheritances among heirs without forcing the liquidation of a prized family business or other illiquid, emotional assets. This ensures that the family’s vision and values are preserved, and that transition happens according to plan, not by force of circumstance.
 
     Hong Kong’s role as the gateway to the Greater Bay Area and the Mainland adds a layer of strategic necessity. As your family’s investments and interests grow within this dynamic region, understanding and mitigating local risks becomes paramount. Hong Kong’s insurers possess the deep regional expertise and innovative capacity to structure solutions that protect these assets and facilitate secure investment.
 
     In essence, for a modern family office, partnering with Hong Kong’s insurance sector is about building a resilient framework. It is a strategic alliance that empowers you to de-risk your portfolio, optimise your capital, secure your legacy, and protect your family’s well-being, allowing you to focus on what matters most: growing and stewarding your wealth for the future.
 
Closing
 
     With our multipronged approach and the concerted efforts of the Government, regulators and the industry, I am confident that Hong Kong will continue to flourish as a leading family office hub in the region. I look forward to joining hands with each of you in shaping a better future for the family office sector.
 
     Last but not least, may I thank the SCMP again for the invitation to this gathering of bright minds. I wish you all a rewarding day of discussions. Thank you.
Issued at HKT 15:54

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Preliminary Report and Public Notice on serious incident of Airbus A320-232 passenger aircraft released

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) today (October 3) released the Preliminary Report and Public Notice PLR-2025-03 on a serious incident involving an Airbus A320-232 passenger aircraft (registration mark B-LCI) operated by Hong Kong Express Airways, which veered off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport on September 8, 2025.

A spokesperson for the AAIA said that the Preliminary Report has been published to provide factual information established in the investigation’s early-evidence collection phase to both the aviation industry and general public in a timely manner, and should be regarded as tentative. The full report is available for download from the AAIA webpage (www.tlb.gov.hk/aaia/eng/investigation_reports/index.html).

“The investigation team is conducting a detailed analysis of the data and information collected in order to determine the circumstances and causes of this occurrence, with a view to preventing a recurrence in conjunction with identifying areas for further investigation or lines of inquiry to follow up,” the spokesperson said.
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The AAIA, an independent investigation authority formed under the Transport and Logistics Bureau, is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and incidents in accordance with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations (Cap. 448B) and with reference to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s standards.