Fewer than 5 per cent of Hong Kong flights have been cancelled in May and June combined, and about 1 per cent during the peak July travel period, the Airport Authority has said, despite a global fuel crisis triggered by the Middle East war, adding it would review charges to ease the industry’s burden.

Responding to a lawmaker’s questions, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Wednesday that the figures were compiled by the authority, which operates Hong Kong International Airport.

Despite the cancellations, the number of flights rose by 5 per cent and passenger throughput increased by 8 per cent year on year in April, she said.

Chan said local carriers mitigated flight cuts by redirecting capacity to underserved markets. For example, one airline added three return flights to Paris and another three to Zurich, while increasing seat capacity on its 13 existing London return services in April.

Responding to lawmaker Chan Hak-kan’s question on easing the aviation industry’s financial burden, Chan said the Airport Authority “has long set airport charges according to commercial principles” and would “continue to closely monitor market conditions and review charge levels as appropriate.”

Fuel price indices across the Asia-Pacific have more than doubled since the war in the Middle East broke out on 28 February, forcing airlines worldwide to trim schedules.