Category Archives: Hong Kong Airlines

Hong Kong Airlines to cut 400 jobs

Hong Kong Airlines announced today it will slash 400 positions and cut the number of flights due to weak passenger demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The airline is partly owned by the HNA Group.

Hong Kong Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Hong Kong Airlines receives a cash infusion

Hong Kong Airlines has made this announcement:

Hong Kong Airlines is committed to serving Hong Kong. We have always been committed to delivering a safe and smooth operation to our customers, while striving for the long-term development of Hong Kong Airlines.

We have been notified by the Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) that it would not take further action against us for the time being. We will comply with ATLA’s requirements and all relevant regulatory requirements as always. Our operation has been running normally and we will endeavour to serve all our passengers over the upcoming holiday season and beyond.

Hong Kong Airlines has a cash injection plan following urgent consultations with our stakeholders, including shareholders and management, who attach great importance to the airline’s long-term growth. Funding for operation will be injected into Hong Kong Airlines by phases. Over the past year, Hong Kong Airlines has rolled out a consolidation program to cut costs, optimize its network and elevate the customer experience. Moving forward, we will continue to drive consolidation and strengthen our internal structure to operate more efficiently and improve our revenue.

Hong Kong Airlines would like to thank our customers and business partners for their ongoing support and confidence in us. Our staff will continue to maintain the highest standard of professionalism, put the interests of our customers first and work together to offer our best services to the people of Hong Kong and our overseas customers. We will also actively communicate with our service providers to resolve outstanding financial issues and gradually bring our service back to normal.

All photos above by the airline.

Hong Kong Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Reuters: Hong Kong Airlines says it has drawn up plans for cash infusion in fight to keep licence

From Reuters:

“Hong Kong Airlines said on Wednesday it had drafted an “initial cash injection plan” that would allow it to make overdue salary payments on Thursday as the carrier battles to keep flying.”

Read the full report.

Hong Kong Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Hong Kong Airlines responds to reports of financial distress

Hong Kong Airlines made this announcement:

Hong Kong Airlines acknowledged the new requirements set out by the Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) today. Our operation is still running normally and we remain committed to flying our passengers to their destinations safely.

Hong Kong Airlines updates ATLA and the Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) regularly on our operation and financial improvement plan. We have addressed our financial situation by implementing cost-savings measures, while adjusting our operation from time to time to respond to changing market demand.

As weak travel demand resulting from the social unrest in Hong Kong has continued to affect our business and revenue, Hong Kong Airlines has reduced its capacity and flights in the coming months as well as further consolidated its network under the challenging business environment.

Hong Kong Airlines is actively communicating with our shareholders and other stakeholders to meet the new requirements from ATLA as requested. We will remain professional and deliver our best customer service to all passengers.

Hong Kong Airlines just turned 13.

Top Copyright Photo: Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A350-941 B-LGB (msn 153) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 948427.

Hong Kong Airlines aircraft slide show:

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Hong Kong Airlines to further consolidate its network to tackle escalating market challenges, will drop Los Angeles

Hong Kong Airlines has made this announcement:

Hong Kong Airlines has been operating in a challenging business environment for some time. In addition to strong competition and overcapacity in the market, the recurring protests in Hong Kong since June have also affected travel demand, further impacting its business and revenue.

The airline has been making operational adjustments from time to time to respond to the changing market conditions. Cost-savings measures were also concurrently implemented to mitigate the financial impact on the airline. However, as challenges in the market continue to escalate, Hong Kong Airlines will further consolidate its network to respond to the current situation.

Los Angeles

Hong Kong Airlines will discontinue its scheduled services to Los Angeles from February 8, 2020. The last Hong Kong Airlines flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles will be HX068 on February 6, 2020, while the last flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong will be HX069 on the same day (all times local). Alternative travel arrangements will be offered to passengers who are already booked on Hong Kong Airlines flights to and from Los Angeles after the service ends.

The airline will closely monitor the market demand and decide if the suspension or flight consolidation needs to be implemented earlier.

Consolidation of other services

Hong Kong Airlines will trim its current scale of operation by around 6%, and will further adjust frequencies to some destinations in its network. Affected passengers will be also be offered alternative arrangements to minimise disruptions to travel plans, especially during the holidays season.

Hong Kong Airlines would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused to its customers. The airline will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust its business plan accordingly to ensure that it remains commercially viable and sustain its long-term growth.

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Top Copyright Photo: Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A350-941 B-LGD (msn 187) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 944020.

Hong Kong Airlines aircraft slide show:

Hong Kong Airlines offers its pilots transfers to other associated carriers as it downsizes

Hong Kong Airlines is offering its pilots transfers to other HNA Group airlines as it attempts to downsize according to the South China Morning Post.

In other news, the management of the airline is coming under further scrutiny.

The airline issued this statement on April 23:

Hong Kong Airlines confirms that its Directors and the current management of the Company have received court orders in relation to its management. The orders are temporary, pending further confirmation by the court and are subject to change. In any event, they do not affect the day-to-day operations of the airline. We continue to operate as normal and there are no changes to our management.

Hong Kong Airlines appreciates that our shareholders are aware that their recent activities may have resulted in a heightened level of interest amongst members of the public. As a responsible carrier, Hong Kong Airlines has always put the interests of our customers first. In spite of last week’s development, every staff member has upheld the highest level of professionalism and we remain committed to delivering a safe and smooth service to all our passengers.

Our operations remain normal. Over the Easter holidays, Hong Kong Airlines operated 417 flights and carried over 85,000 passengers between April 19 and 22, 2019, representing a 3% increase over the same period last year. As the Labour Day holidays approach, Hong Kong Airlines is getting ready to serve more than 102,000 passengers who have chosen to fly with us for their holidays.

Hong Kong Airlines and its staff remain united and will continue to focus on delivering our best service to all our customers. We trust that our stakeholders will remain professional and solve the issue in an impartial manner.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A330-343 B-LHD (msn 1146) DPS (Pascal Simon). Image: 946298.)

Hong Kong Airlines aircraft slide show:

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Hong Kong Airlines to start daily service to Manila from June 2018

Hong Kong Airlines will operate daily flights between its home base of Hong Kong and Manila, the capital of the Philippines from June 1, 2018 – the latest addition to the airline’s expanding network.

Hong Kong Airlines will deploy an Airbus A320 on the new route, which will be outfitted with a single-class configuration and offer 174 seats in Economy Class.

The schedule* for the new service can be seen below (All times local):

Flight Sector	Flight Number	Departure	Arrival	Frequency
HKG – MNL	HX781	2110	2300	Tue, Fri, Sun
HKG – MNL	HX781	2130	2300	Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat
MNL – HKG	HX782	0655	0855	Daily

Hong Kong Airlines aircraft slide show:

Hong Kong Airlines to operate seasonal service to Moscow

With the FIFA World Cup 2018 taking place in Russia, Hong Kong Airlines will launch a seasonal thrice-weekly service* linking Hong Kong and Moscow from May 18 to October 27, 2018.

Hong Kong Airlines will deploy an Airbus A330-300 on its new service between Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Moscow Vnukovo International Airport (VKO). The wide-body aircraft features a two-class configuration with 32 Business Class seats and 260 Economy Class seats.

Flight schedule* is as follows (All times local):

Flight Number	Route	Departure	Arrival	Frequency
HX2019	HKG-VKO	1615	2125	Tue
HX2019	HKG-VKO	1500	2010	Fri, Sun
HX2018	VKO-HKG	0020	1500	Wed
HX2018	VKO-HKG	0035	1515	Mon, Sat

* Our newly launched scheduled service between Hong Kong and Moscow is subject to government and regulatory approval.

* Flight number and schedule may change without prior notice

Hong Kong Airlines aircraft slide show:

Hong Kong Airlines expands North America network with San Francisco launch

Hong Kong Airlines celebrated the launch of its new A350 service to San Francisco on March 25. The City by the Bay becomes the airline’s third destination in North America, following the successful launch of services to Vancouver and Los Angeles in 2017.

Flight HX060 departed Hong Kong on time at 1303 and touched down at San Francisco International Airport at 1023 local time. Following a celebration event at the boarding gate hosted by Hong Kong Airlines, flight HX061 departed from San Francisco at noon and is scheduled to arrive ahead of time on early Monday evening. To mark this special occasion, Mark Farrell, Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, proclaimed March 25, 2018 as the “Hong Kong Airlines Day in San Francisco.”

To make the San Francisco service extra special, Hong Kong Airlines has collaborated with USA celebrity chef and television personality Chris Cosentino to bring his flair for innovative cuisine onboard. Renowned for his seasonal and rustic cooking, Chef Cosentino is known for his restaurant, Cockscomb, where he reinterprets classic San Francisco dishes by adding his own unique twist. Business Class passengers travelling from San Francisco to Hong Kong will enjoy a specially curated menu created by Chef Cosentino featuring a three course meal presented in new tableware by Hong Kong designers JIA. This delectable menu will also be introduced on Hong Kong Airline’s Los Angeles – Hong Kong route in the months ahead.

Business Class passengers can also look forward to receiving an updated set of Hong Kong-themed amenity kits, designed by Hong Kong’s Ricebowl Republic and CLIP. Each pouch is made with thick cotton canvas and lined with bold-coloured fabric, featuring birdcage, teapot, rice bowl or the Hong Kong city skyline.

Hong Kong Airlines operates flights between Hong Kong and San Francisco four-times weekly at the following schedule^# (all times local).

Flight Number	Route	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Frequency
(25 March 2018 – 30 June 2018)
HX060	Hong Kong to San Francisco	1300	1015	Mon
HX060	Hong Kong to San Francisco	1310	1045	Wed, Fri, Sun
HX061	San Francisco to Hong Kong	1230	1735+1	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun

#The flight schedule is subject to change without prior notice.

The new route is served with new Airbus A350-900s.

Bottom Copyright Photo (all others above by Hong Kong Airlines): Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A350-941 B-LGC (msn 168) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 940395.

Hong Kong Airlines aircraft slide show:

Hong Kong Airlines takes delivery of its first Airbus A350-900

Hong Kong Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 (B-LGA), on lease from AerCap, making the carrier the 15^th airline to operate the world’s newest and most efficient twin aisle airliner. Altogether Hong Kong Airlines will acquire 21 Airbus A350 XWB, including 15 purchased directly from Airbus and six on lease from third party lessors.

Hong Kong Airlines has configured its A350-900 with a premium three-class layout with a total of 334 seats, comprising 33 in Business Class, convertible to fully lie-flat beds, 108 in the new cabin class “Economy Comfort” and 193 in Economy Class. The aircraft features the airline’s latest cabin products, including an all-new entertainment system and full in-flight connectivity. After an initial period flying on regional routes, Hong Kong Airlines’ A350-900 will begin long haul operations in December this year, flying on the carrier’s non-stop service to Los Angeles.

To date, Airbus has recorded a total of 848 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 45 customers worldwide, already making it one of the most successful wide-body aircraft ever. With 287 firm orders for the A350 from carriers in Asia-Pacific, the region represents over a third of total sales for the type to date.

Photo: Airbus.