It sounds too good to be true but Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has confirmed that it is giving away 500,000 free airplane tickets. 

Details about how to acquire the free tickets have yet to be released as the AAHK works with airlines to make the proper arrangements but it was confirmed that tickets will be available to both residents and global visitors.

The news is quite a change of pace for Hong Kong, which has been incredibly stringent with its Covid travel restrictions and allowing visitors to enter. Though Hong Kong recently dropped its quarantine requirements, other testing and self-monitoring rules remain in place.

The 500K airline tickets were originally purchased by AAHK as part of a relief package to support Hong Kong’s aviation industry during Covid. Hong Kong will certainly need the boost in tourism as Virgin Atlantic just announced that it will be closing its Hong Kong office and no longer be flying between there and London Heathrow.

(Editor’s Note: Hong Kong is a personal favorite of mine and truly is one of the world’s most incredible cities. It also makes for a great stopover en route to another Asian destination. If you’ve been eyeing a bucket list trip for 2023, this is a great chance to give you that push you need.)