Hong Kong Airlines recently celebrated its 18th anniversary and unveils its strategic development plan. This milestone marks  the airline’s robust growth momentum and confidence in the Hong Kong aviation industry, as it  announces its return to the long-haul market in early 2025.

Going International: Returning to long-haul market 

Firstly, Hong Kong Airlines will resume its Gold Coast direct service on 17 January 2025 (four  times weekly), providing passengers with convenient travel options between Hong Kong, the  Greater Bay Area, and the Gold Coast. It will also resume its Vancouver route on the following  day, 18 January 2025 (two times weekly, ticket reservations will be available soon), which marks its official return to the long-haul international market. This strategic move signifies the airline’s  transformation from a regional carrier to an international airline, with a focus on expanding its  global route network.

Following a successful restructuring last year, Hong Kong Airlines has been actively improving its  services and expanding its business. Through strategic planning, the airline has demonstrated a  strong recovery capability by optimising its route network and adjusting its fleet structure, which now covers more than 30 destinations.

This year, the number of flight sectors has fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with an  average passenger load factor of approximately 85%. The airline expects to reach its annual  traffic target of carrying more than 5 million passengers by the end of 2024. Additionally,  bookings for the Christmas and Lunar New Year period have already reached 85%, with that for  the ski resort routes in Northeast Asia reaching 90%. In response to this strong demand, the  airline will increase flight frequency on relevant routes from December.

Expands the fleet to increase carrying capacity 

To support its business growth, Hong Kong Airlines has significantly expanded its fleet this year,  introducing multiple Airbus A330-300 wide-body aircraft to support medium- to long-haul routes.  The airline has also introduced its first A321 aircraft, configured with 220 all-economy class seats,  to increase passenger capacity and operational efficiency. By the end of this year, Hong Kong  Airlines’ fleet is expected to grow to around 30 aircraft and the company will continue to expand  the fleet size as needed to further increase its capacity.

The diversified fleet configuration will support flight flexibility and coverage, facilitating passengers with convenient access from Hong Kong to popular tourist destinations in mainland  China, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, the United States, Canada, and Europe. In  addition to operating its own routes, the airline will continue to collaborate with partners to  expand its codeshare network, provide seamless sea-land-air intermodal transportation, and  strive to offer service diversity.

Capitalises on 3RS opportunity & expands intermodal transportation in GBA 

The third runway system (3RS) at Hong Kong International Airport is scheduled to fully  commence operations at the end of November, which will significantly enhance the airport’s  throughput, optimise flight departure and arrival processes, and improve operational efficiency  and passenger experience. Leveraging Hong Kong’s unique geographical advantages to, connect  mainland China with the rest of the world, as well as the opportunity brought by the 3RS, Hong  Kong Airlines will utilise the “airport city” infrastructure and surrounding aviation network to  deepen cooperation with cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and promote intermodal  transportation, such as seamless “air-land-air” transfers via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge,  to provide passengers with a more convenient travel experience.

Starting this winter, the airline will increase flights to Seoul (twice daily) and Tokyo (five times  daily), while Sapporo will become a daily flight. It will also launch Sendai route in December and resume flights to the Gold Coast and Vancouver in January 2025, demonstrating its confidence  in the capacity of the 3RS and commitment to exploring more potential routes to strengthen ties  with Belt and Road countries and international markets.

Active recruitment to expand the workforce 

To cope with business growth, Hong Kong Airlines has recruited over 600 new employees this  year, many of whom have already filled the frontline positions, bringing the total number of  cabin crew to more than 1200. Looking ahead, the number of employees is expected to increase  by 60% next year, with a 60% increase in pilots and a 1.6-fold increase in cabin crew. Recruitment  will continue in the local market as well as the GBA, South Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia and  beyond.

Enhances passenger services for elevated travel experience 

Hong Kong Airlines is committed to providing passengers with safe, high-quality, and  comfortable flying experiences, and incorporates Hong Kong’s cultural characteristics into its  services. This year, the airline has optimised its cabin and airport lounge services to provide the  best passenger comfort possible.

To create a unique in-flight dining experience for business class passengers, the airline has  partnered with Michelin recommended local restaurant, Man Yuen, as well as Michelin starred  Cantonese restaurant, Ming Court, at the Cordis Hotel, to offer exquisite Chinese creative cuisine.  To start with, Man Yuen has been providing signature dishes since September, including its  renowned Steamed Pork Mince with Anchovies, King of Stir-fried with Stir-fried Garlic Chive with  Prawns and Dried Scallop Egg White Fried Rice, Braised Curry Beef Brisket with Potato and etc,  whereas from the second half of 2025 onwards, Ming Court will launch its innovative fusion  cuisine in Business Class, featuring dishes such as Pork Rib Trio Onion, Baked, Wagyu Beef Cheek,  15-year Aged Dried Tangerine Peel, Braised. Paired with the airline’s signature “Bauhinia  Blossom” welcome drink, desserts, and local brand chocolates, the overall dining experience has  been elevated. In parallel, Corelle’s eco-friendly, lightweight, and durable tableware has also  been introduced to Business Class, reflecting the airline’s commitment to green and  sustainability.

Meanwhile, to embody its “Very Hong Kong” brand positioning, the airline offers economy class  passengers a taste of Hong Kong’s unique specialties such as “Rice with Two Sides (This This  Rice)” and Nestle ice cream on selected routes, making inflight dining a pleasure of the journey.

Furthermore, this year, the airline has prioritised the restoration of in-flight entertainment  systems on multiple A330 aircraft, with some of them introducing wireless streaming technology,  allowing passengers to access and enjoy a wide range of content using their personal mobile  devices. The airline targets to fully restore full service by 2025.

Additionally, Hong Kong Airlines has reopened its VIP lounge Club Autus since 2023. Located at  the Hong Kong International Airport’s midfield concourse, Club Autus is the only lounge that  offers exclusive lounge services, including massage chairs, and traditional Hong Kong-style  delicacies such as cart noodles, egg tarts and congee, to make passengers’ travel experience more relaxing and enjoyable.

18th Anniversary Special Offer 

To celebrate its 18th anniversary, Hong Kong Airlines will launch a year-round upgrade service  from 28 November for passengers flying on their birthday with upgrades throughout their  journey. Passengers flying with Hong Kong Airlines on their birthday can enjoy buy-one-get-one free upgrades, priority boarding, complimentary lounge access, and birthday surprise gifts.  Children aged 3-11 who accumulate a certain number of flights will be invited to visit the Hong  Kong Airlines Training Academy.