End Of Flight Suspensions Welcomed By Ovolo Group

The director of a hotel chain has welcomed the dropping of Hong Kong's flight suspension mechanism, saying it creates more clarity and stability in terms of bookings.

Mael Vastine, Director of Operations at Ovolo Hotels, told RTHK that the group hadn't seen any upsurge in bookings since last Thursday, when the announcement was made, as its hotels were mostly full anyway. However, he said the scrapping of the mechanism benefitted both hotels and travellers.

"I think it has provided everyone with more clarity, and less stress for people trying to come back to Hong Kong," he said. "There's more clarity and stability in our bookings, although it's the same number of people trying to come back to Hong Kong."

The mechanism had meant that flight routes could be suspended if they brought in too many Covid-positive passengers. For hotels offering quarantine stays, this meant frequent late cancellations.