Hong Kong 7s Rugby 2025: Business Aviation Planning Guide
The popular Hong Kong Sevens tournament is one of the most popular sporting events in Asia. The Hong Kong Sevens is a World Rugby Sevens Series competition. Here’s everything you need to know:
Hong Kong Sevens Tournament Overview
Considered one of the, if not the, premier rugby sevens tournaments in the world, the annual Hong Kong Sevens attracts significant business aviation traffic annually. This year’s tournament will be held March 28-30, 2025, at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. Beyond the matches themselves, the tournament is known for its colorful characters and costumes, rowdy atmosphere, and all-night parties.
Thirty teams will compete at the 2025 event:
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Men’s SVNS: New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Kenya, Spain, South Africa, Uruguay, USA.
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Women’s SVNS: New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Spain, USA.
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Melrose Claymores: Hong Kong China Men will take on China and Japan, while Hong Kong China Women will face Kazakhstan and Thailand.
You can also follow the tournament’s official social media channels:
Tournament venue
Hong Kong operating requirements
For a detailed breakdown of Hong Kong business aviation requirements, including permits, slots, and parking details, refer to the Hong Kong Business Aviation Destination Guide.
When operating to VHHH, you need a landing permit, arrival and departure airport slots, and parking confirmation. Landing permits are issued by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD), parking is controlled by the Hong Kong Airport Authority, and airport slots are provided by the HKCAD-controlled slot coordinator. Slots for VHHH are always required, even for tech stops and drop-and-go operations.
Landing permits
Prior clearance from HKCAD is required for the operation of private non-revenue flights to and from Hong Kong. Applications should be submitted at least three working days before the anticipated arrival/departure date. However, non-frequent or new operators should submit applications at least two weeks prior to allow for processing time.
VHHH Parking and Slots
VHHH requires airport slots for all arrivals and departures. Slots are available 24/7, but there are night-hour limitations (1400-2259 UTC / 2200-0659 local) due to noise considerations. Parking is limited, with a maximum duration of 14 days, and extensions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Parking alternates
If parking is unavailable at VHHH, the preferred alternate is VMMC (Macau). However, VMMC also experiences congestion, and alternative repositioning may be required to:
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Hanoi (VVNB)
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Manila (RPLL)
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Kaohsiung (RCKH)
Fuel and CIQ
GA fuel uplifts at VHHH are typically handled via fuel trucks, with possible delays. Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) clearance for GA operations is completed at HKBAC, and visa requirements should be checked in advance.
Other considerations
It is recommended that handlers file departure flight plans three to six hours prior to ETD. If repositioning the aircraft after dropping passengers at VHHH, ensure all overflight and landing permits are secured for the alternate destination.
Closing thoughts
The Hong Kong Sevens is more than just a rugby tournament—it’s a high-traffic business aviation event that will significantly impact operations at VHHH. Even if you’re not attending the event, expect increased congestion.
Consider working with a trip support provider, with a local office, such as Universal’s Trip Support Services Asia, to manage permits, parking, alternates, and logistics, ensuring a smooth and efficient operation.
