1. History
     2001–2006: The early years    2006–2010: Change of ownership and fleet expansion    2010–2012: Growth and expansion    2012–2016: Repositioning    2016–2018: Intercontinental expansion  

2. Destinations
     Codeshare agreements  

3. Fleet
     Current Fleet    Fleet history  

4. Corporate image and affairs
     Subsidiaries    Community sponsorships  

5. Loyalty programme

6. Services
     Business Class    Economy Class  

7. See also

8. References

9. External links

Hong Kong Airlines Ltd ({{zh|c=香港航空公司}}) (stylised as HONGKONG AIRLINES) is an airline based in Hong Kong, with its headquarters in the Tung Chung district and its main hub at Hong Kong International Airport. It was established in 2006 as a member of the HNA Group.

Hong Kong Airlines’ network currently covers over 30 cities regionally, including the Gold Coast, Auckland, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guiyang, Bangkok, Bali, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, Sapporo and Okinawa, and the newly launched Vancouver and Los Angeles routes in 2017. It also launched San Francisco and Manila flights in 2018. The airline has a combined fleet of 43 aircraft. The current passenger fleet has 38 aircraft with an average age of about 5 years as of December 2018.

History

2001–2006: The early years

Robert Yip ({{zh|t=葉光}}), the chairman of China Rich Holdings, with business interests in Chinese medicine, internet portal, construction and property development, established CR Airways in Hong Kong on 28 March 2001.^[3][4] The airline received its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) with a {{convert|285|km/h|mph}} 12 passenger Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopter in early 2002. It was Hong Kong's third commercial helicopter operator and the first helicopter operator to receive an AOC since Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of People's Republic of China.^[5]

On 27 June 2003, CR Airways became Hong Kong's third passenger airline after receiving a revised AOC from the Director of Civil Aviation Albert Lam and operated its first passenger flight on the next day.^[6] It started passenger charter operations to Laoag, Philippines on 5 July 2003, with a Bombardier CRJ200 leased from GE Capital Aviation Services.^[7][8] In September 2003, the airline applied for traffic rights to operate scheduled passenger services to Laoag and Chinese cities of Jinan, Naning, Meixian and Wenzhou. In addition, Robert Yip sold 40 percent of the airline to his company, China Rich Holdings, for HK$180 million.^[9] By March 2004, the airline had added Siem Reap, Cambodia to its charter network.^[7]

In April 2005, the Hong Kong Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) granted a five-year licence to transport passengers, cargo and mail to China; the airline was free to apply for traffic rights to 10 cities in China.^[10] On 5 July 2005, the airline announced the purchase of two Bombardier CRJ700s from Danish carrier Maersk Air, scheduled to arrive in July and mid-August, respectively.^[11] In addition, the airline had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing for the purchase of 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 Boeing 737–800s on 20 December 2005 at a listed price of US$3.28 billion. An executive of the airline had told reporters that some of the Boeing aircraft were from a Hainan Airlines order.^[12][13]

2006–2010: Change of ownership and fleet expansion

On 27 June 2006, Hainan Airlines secured a 45 per cent holding in the airline, by purchase of convertible notes held by Yu Ming Investments, which was to be injected into its new airline holding company Grand China Air.^[14] Two months later, Mung Kin-keung ({{zh|t=蒙建強}}) acquired the remaining 55 per cent of the airline and became the controlling shareholder on 7 August; and its director on 13 August. Mung's previous main business interest had been a 30 per cent holding in Banana Leaf (Asia Pacific) Catering Group Company Limited, a restaurant operator.^[15]

On 22 September 2006, CR Airways Limited officially changed its name to Hong Kong Airlines Limited and a launch ceremony took place on 28 November 2006. The airline also introduced a new logo, which represents a bauhinia flower, the symbol of Hong Kong where the airline is anchored.^[4][16] The airline made the biggest aircraft order in its young history on 21 June 2007, by ordering 51 narrow- and wide-body aircraft from European plane maker, Airbus, at an estimated value of US$5.6 billion.^[17] The airline's IATA code was changed from N8 to HX on 27 May 2007.^[18]

On 24 October 2008, in preparation for the arrival of the Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft, the airline announced plans to adjust personnel and fleet composition. The new aircraft were to provide medium haul passenger and cargo services to the Middle East and Australia.^[19]

2010–2012: Growth and expansion

On 8 June 2010, Hong Kong Airlines completed their flight certification from Hong Kong to Beijing, earning an Air Operator's Certificate for the Airbus A330 operations from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department. Scheduled flights to Moscow were launched later that month.

In September 2010, the airline introduced its first Airbus A330F cargo freighter, on a route from Hong Kong to Hangzhou. It officially joined the IATA the next month.

In 2011, Hong Kong Airlines was awarded a 4-star rating by Skytrax. Passenger traffic exceeded one million passengers serving 19 destinations.

On 8 March 2012, the airline launched daily flights from Hong Kong to London Gatwick airport with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft. It operated as an all Club Class service, featuring 34 "Club Premier" (business class lie-flat beds) and 82 "Club Classic" (cradle style recliner business class) seats,^[20] the service lasted only six months.^[21]

2012–2016: Repositioning

In 2013, Hong Kong Airlines concluded a system-wide strategy review to determine its priority routes for the immediate future with key focus areas on the Asia Pacific region during this period. One new route was established when the Hong Kong-Maldives service was inaugurated. Total passenger traffic had reached over four million and the last of its Boeing aircraft were retired.

In 2014, Hong Kong Airlines launched new passenger routes between Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh, Tianjin and Kagoshima; they also increased daily flight frequency to Beijing and Shanghai.

The airline's lounge service was relaunched as "Club Bauhinia" on 27 June 2014.

In February 2015, Hong Kong Airlines signed a sub-lease with the Airport Authority Hong Kong to develop a flight training centre on a 0.6 hectare plot near the southeast perimeter of the Hong Kong International Airport.

In March 2015, the airline joined the Executive Committee of the Board of Airline Representatives in Hong Kong (BAR HK), holding hands with another almost 80 airlines to improve the commercial and operational conditions for airlines active in Hong Kong.

On 28 December 2015, Hong Kong Airlines flight HX658 bound for Okinawa became the first departure from the HKIA Midfield Concourse (MFC).

2016–2018: Intercontinental expansion

On 28 November 2016, Hong Kong Airlines marked its 10th Anniversary at a celebration with guests including government officials and business leaders under the theme ″Flying Beyond″.

On 26 April 2017, air cargo business in Hong Kong was set up as an independent subsidiary cargo airline of Hong Kong (Hong Kong Cargo Airlines), having received its operator's licence from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department.

On 10 June 2017, Skytrax ranked Hong Kong Airlines second best regional airline and 24th best internationally.

On 8 August 2017, Atlas Air announced that it had placed three 747-400 freighters with Hong Kong Air Cargo, the airline's cargo subsidiary. The first aircraft was to enter service in September 2017, serving routes between the United States and Asia. Delivery of the remaining two aircraft was anticipated during 2018. All three aircraft were to be operated by Atlas Air on behalf of Hong Kong Air Cargo.^[22]

On 1 September 2017, Hong Kong Airlines took delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 and launched its "Club Autus" VIP lounge at the HKIA Midfield Concourse .

On 10 September 2017, the A350-900 aircraft was put into commercial operation in Hong Kong for flights to and from Bangkok (BKK).

On 18 December 2017, Hong Kong Airlines started operating a direct flight to Los Angeles with the A350-900 aircraft, and direct flights to San Francisco followed three months later.

In late 2018, both co-Chairmen, Mung and Zhang Kui, resigned, as did the airline's vice-chairman and CFO.^[23]. Former vice-president and chief marketing officer of Hainan Airlines, Hou Wei, took over as chairman in November 2018.^[24]

Destinations

Codeshare agreements

Hong Kong Airlines codeshares with the following airlines:^[25]

• Air Astana
• Air India
• Air Mauritius
• Asiana Airlines
• Bangkok Airways
• China Eastern Airlines
• Etihad Airways
• El Al^[26]
• EVA Air
• Fiji Airways^[27]
• Garuda Indonesia
• Grand China Air
• Hainan Airlines
• Jet Airways^[28]
• Kenya Airways
• Royal Brunei Airlines
• Shanghai Airlines
• South African Airways
• Turkish Airlines
• Virgin Australia^[29]

Fleet

Current Fleet

Hong Kong Airlines operates an all-Airbus fleet comprising the following aircraft. As of September 2018, the average fleet age is about 6.2 years.

Fleet history

Hong Kong Airlines has previously operated the following aircraft:^[33]

Corporate image and affairs

As of 2013, the airline's head office is currently located on the eleventh floor of One Citygate at Tung Chung, Lantau Island.^[34]

Subsidiaries

Hong Kong Aviation Ground Services Limited (HAGSL) is a provider of passenger self-handling services at Hong Kong International Airport and HKA Holidays Limited (HKA Holidays) offers travel products, including fixed charter flights tickets, tour packages and hotel accommodation.

Community sponsorships

In 2015, Hong Kong Airlines was selected as the Official Carrier for the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and the Sports Association for the Physically Disabled.^[35]

The airline has joined the Caritas Fund Raising Bazaar for six consecutive years from 2009 and sponsored Hong Kong events marking the "World Diabetes Day 2012".

The airline has a number of student sponsorship and aviation education programmes, such as its "Triumph Sky High" Junior Programme, "Embrace the World" Student Sponsorship Programme and "School Sharing Workshops".^[36]

Loyalty programme

The Fortune Wings Club is a global frequent flyer programme designed for Hong Kong Airlines and its sister airlines, including Grand China Air, Grand China Express, Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Express Airways and Lucky Air. Membership benefits include air ticket redemption and upgrade; dedicated First or Business Class check-in counters, Club Autus and Club Bauhinia lounge access, bonus mileage and extra baggage allowance.^[37]

Services

Business Class

Business class passengers are eligible of using the courtesy channel with priority security screening when departing from Hong Kong International Airport on the same day of departure. They can also have extra baggage allowance of 32 kg and bring one extra piece of luggage when onboard selected flights to USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Maldives. They can bring 30 kg luggage on other flights which are not calling for the above mentioned destinations. The business class product offered on long haul flights have 180-degree flat beds and direct aisle access. Passengers are also eligible of using the two business lounges: Club Autus and Club Bauhinia. They can also earn Fortune Wing Points, depending on their fare class.

Economy Class

Most economy class seats do not feature personal televisions (PTV), even on long haul aircraft. On long haul flights, complimentary tablets are given to passengers, which serves the purpose of video-on-demand services and acts as an in-flight entertainment systems.

See also

• List of airlines of Hong Kong
• List of airports in Hong Kong
• List of companies of Hong Kong
• Transport in Hong Kong

References

External links

• {{official website|http://www.hongkongairlines.com}}
• Official Hong Kong Airlines Holidays website
• Hong Kong Airlines Press Release

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