The government of Hong Kong announced in early February (read more here) that they would launch a campaign with the city’s three airlines to distribute 700,000 free tickets to get visitors to return.
The campaign started in February (read more here), and Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, and HK Express are distributing the free tickets ex-Japan beginning on Monday (June 26).
You can access Cathay Pacific here, Hong Kong Airlines here, and HK Express here.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific will distribute 12,000 codes, each valid for a round-trip from Narita, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo to Japan between two to seven days and valid for travel July 12 – April 11, 2024.
HK Express
HK Express, an airline owned by Cathay Pacific, will give away 14,900 tickets from Narita, Osaka, Okinawa, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo from June 26. The free tickets must be booked June 30 – March 30, 2024.
Hong Kong Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines is distributing free tickets between June 27 – 29, but the exact number, valid travel dates, and destinations are unclear.
Hong Kong Free Ticket Giveaway:
Hong Kong To Distribute 700,000 Free Airline Tickets March – August 2023
Conclusion
These tickets are not free as the passenger needs to pay for the actual taxes and fuel purchases + all the expenses involved in visiting Hong Kong, where I was just last week.
I would assume that this is more of an indirect state aid from the government of Hong Kong to the airline based in the city than helping visitors.
