Aviation sector representatives on Thursday urged the government to introduce measures to attract more workers to the sector, warning that Hong Kong would lose its status as an international aviation hub if it fails to do so.

They said the sector is facing a 40 percent manpower shortage, and will require 100,000 more workers by the time the airport’s third runway opens next year.

Transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick said the government has introduced many measures to attract visitors, but he hopes officials will not overlook the manpower issue.

"We hope the government will consider the importation of labour as a kind of interim measure. Of course people in the trade would like to recruit local people as much as they can, but because of the current situation, we have no choice but to look for foreign labour," he said.

Yick explained that there are fewer graduates willing to work in the sector these years, worsening the situation.

The head of the Airline Operators' Committee, Walter Li, said the manpower shortage is an obstacle for Hong Kong's recovery after Covid measures were scrapped.

He said there's a pressing need to import foreign workers, adding he expects many will be willing to come.

"With the third runway and the Airport City plans, Hong Kong definitely has a lot of potential and upside in the future. That will attract a lot of people," Li said.