Hong Kong Primary School Groups and Tour Groups Evacuated from Middle East Amid Rising Tensions

In response to the volatile situation in the Middle East, the Education Bureau has confirmed that 40 students and 5 teachers from three primary schools have safely completed their exchange program in Dubai and returned to Hong Kong. The schools have already notified parents and their school management committees and will continue to monitor the students' emotional well-being, providing appropriate support as needed. A separate secondary school, originally planning to transit through Dubai later this month for exchange activities in other regions, has decided to reroute its flights to bypass Dubai as a precautionary measure to ensure student safety. The Education Bureau reaffirmed that student safety remains the top priority for all overseas study tours. It stated that it will maintain close communication with the schools involved and stand ready to provide timely support and assistance if necessary.

The Education Bureau, Photo source: reference image

On the tourism front, Mr. Yuen Chun Ning, Managing Director of WWPKG, reported that one of the company's tour groups is currently in Dubai and is scheduled to return to Hong Kong on Wednesday. All members of the group are safe, though some have chosen to rest at their hotel due to emotional concerns or anxiety. Mr. Yuen noted that tour groups returning from Eastern and Western Europe may transit through Dubai or Qatar. If airports in those countries remain open but flights are affected, arrangements can be made to reroute passengers through other countries for their return to Hong Kong. Should passengers be required to stay over in those countries, the company can arrange hotel accommodations. He also mentioned that approximately 10 tour groups to the Middle East scheduled before the 10th of this month have been canceled. The company will process refunds in accordance with the guidelines of the Travel Industry Authority. As for future tour groups, Mr. Yuen stated that arrangements will be made based on how the situation develops.

Mr. Yuen Chun Ning, Photo source: the official website of WWPKG

The Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited (KMB) and Long Win Bus Company Limited (LWB) noted that the sharp surge in fuel costs has severely affected their operating revenue and expenditure, and asked the government to process their fare adjustment applications to ensure the stable development of services.

Photo source: reference image

The two bus operators said that fuel expenditure accounts for a significant proportion of their franchised bus operating costs. Since the outbreak of the Middle East crisis in late February this year, refined oil prices have risen from around US$85 per barrel to an average of US$170 per barrel, with prices having surged by nearly 200% at their peak, exceeding US$250 per barrel. Refined oil prices remain persistently high and highly volatile. In the absence of government subsidies, and despite implementing various cost control measures to mitigate the negative financial impact, KMB and LWB still pointed out that their operating conditions have inevitably been affected, and they must adopt other measures to maintain a financially sustainable position.

Photo source: reference image

The two operators hoped the government would expedite the processing of the fare adjustment applications so that the bus companies can operate and develop sustainably and reasonably.