Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Monday the government will look into developing passenger-carrying drone projects in outlying islands first as part of its advanced low-altitude economy plan.

The "Regulatory Sandbox X" pilot projects unveiled in last week's Policy Address follow the first batch announced in March.

Speaking on RTHK, Chan said "X" stands for "extra" and that the new projects are an extension of those in the initial phase.

The latest plan covers aircraft that weigh over 150kg and are able to conduct deliveries in densely populated places.

Chan revealed that the government's aim is to implement all of the initial 38 projects by this year.

Safety will come first in any future passenger-carrying drone endeavours, Chan emphasised.

"The project involves passenger safety, so we will need to formulate a plan regarding its impact on other members of the public," she said.

"Some organisations or individuals have suggested that, when it comes to passenger-carrying drones, we should consider outlying islands or as part of island tourism. We will look into that.

"For now, we have a few venue partners, including universities. We also have technological partners, such as Cyberport and the Science Park. I believe they can help us explore the possibility of conducting trials with passenger-carrying drones."

On a separate note, Chan said the government wants to expand the city's aviation network to include destinations in Africa, South America, the South Pacific and Central Asia.

The announcement follows the SAR's recent agreement on civil aviation with Poland.

Chan said Hong Kong has recovered quickly from the pandemic, with 140 airlines currently operating out of the airport, providing more than 210 routes.

She also noted a strong increase in passenger volume last month. "Compared to last year, passenger volume in August increased by 15.8 percent. This is quite strong," she said.

"Short-haul flights posted particularly strong growth. This may be due to the emergence of new markets and the expansion of flight routes."

The transport minister added that the administration is looking to make it more convenient and flexible for travellers to transit in Hong Kong, as a means to lure passengers from the Greater Bay Area.