Travelers wearing protective masks walk through the departure hall at the Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong on Jan 26, 2021. (PHOTO / BLOOMBERG)

HONG KONG – Airport Authority Hong Kong announced on Wednesday that it would give away 60,000 air tickets by lucky draw to local residents and airport staff who receive COVID-19 vaccination to promote inoculation.

Of the 60,000 air tickets, 50,000 will be given to Hong Kong residents who have received COVID-19 vaccination before the end of September, while the remaining 10,000 tickets are for staff of Hong Kong International Airport who have been vaccinated before the same deadline, said the authority in a press release.

READ MORE: More than 2m vaccine shots given in HKSAR

Of the 60,000 air tickets, 50,000 will be given to Hong Kong residents who have received COVID-19 vaccination before the end of September, while the remaining 10,000 tickets are for staff of Hong Kong International Airport who have been vaccinated before the same deadline

It will purchase another 1,000 air tickets for giving away via lucky draw to Airport Authority staff vaccinated before the end of September. Those eligible should submit their applications before the deadline, according to the release.

Details are being discussed with airlines, with the draw planned to be completed by the end of September.

Chairman of the authority Jack So was quoted as saying in the press release that he hoped air traffic would recover as soon as possible.

"A higher vaccination rate is pivotal to the early recovery of aviation business. We took the lead by committing additional resources to encourage AA staff to receive the vaccines, hoping that other corporations and organizations in Hong Kong will also support the government by providing different incentives to encourage their staff to receive the vaccination,” reads a statement attributed to So in the release.

Starting from April 20 this year, Airport Authority staff who receive COVID-19 vaccination can take days off on the days of receiving the first and second vaccine dose, as well as the day after the second dose.