Hong Kong Airlines

Hong Kong Airlines
香港航空
IATA ICAO Callsign
HX CRK BAUHINIA
Founded 2006
Hubs Hong Kong International Airport
Frequent-flyer program Fortune Wings Club
Fleet size 39[1]
Destinations 47 incl. cargo, 38 excl. cargo
Company slogan Where Hong Kong Begins[2]
Headquarters One Citygate, Tung Chung, Lantau, Hong Kong
Key people
Website www.hongkongairlines.com
Hong Kong Airlines
Chinese 香港航空公司
Cantonese Yale Hēunggóng Hòhnghūng Gūngsī

Hong Kong Airlines Ltd (Chinese: 香港航空公司) 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’ growing 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 flights in 2018. The airline has a combined fleet of 35 aircraft. The current passenger fleet has 31 aircraft with an average age of about 5 years as of September 2017.

History

A CR Airways Boeing 737–800 at Hong Kong International Airport. (2006)

2001–2006: The early years

Robert Yip, 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 285 kilometres per hour (177 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]

A Hong Kong Airlines Boeing 737–800 takes off from Hong Kong International Airport. (2007)

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 was from Hainan Airlines' order.[12][13]

2006–2010: Change of ownership and fleet expansion

On 27 June 2006, Hainan Airlines purchased a 45 percent holdings of the airline and the holdings would be transferred to Grand China Air, a new holding company of Hainan Airlines.[14] Two months later, Mr Mung Kin Keung acquired the remaining 55 percent of the airline and became the controlling shareholder on 7 August; and its director on 13 August. 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. The new logo also represents the close relationship between the airline and Hong Kong and its new era in the civil aviation industry.[4][15] 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.[16] The airline's IATA code was changed from N8 to HX on 27 May 2007.[17]

On 24 October 2008, the airline announced plans in preparation for the arrival of the Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft, which included personnel and fleet composition. The new aircraft will provide medium haul passenger and cargo services to the Middle East and Australia.[18]

2010–2012: Growth and expansion

On 8 June 2010, Hong Kong Airlines completed their flight certification from Hong Kong to Beijing earning their Air Operating's Certificate for the Airbus A330 operations from HKCAD.

On 28 June 2010, scheduled flights to Moscow were launched.

In September 2010, Hong Kong Airlines introduced its first airbus A330F cargo freighter, which launched its first full cargo route from Hong Kong to Hangzhou.

On 22 October 2010, Hong Kong Airlines officially joined the IATA.

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, Hong Kong Airlines launched daily flights from Hong Kong to London Gatwick airport with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The aircraft on this route was operating 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.[19] However, this route ended on September 10.[20] Meanwhile, Manchester City F.C. chose Hong Kong Airlines for domestic transportation as HX2871/CRK2871 from London Gatwick to Manchester[21][22]

2012–2016: Reposition in steady growth

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 Hong Kong Airlines launched a new passenger route between Hong Kong and Maldives; passenger traffic exceeded four million passengers.

Also, during this time, all Hong Kong Airlines' Boeing aircraft were replaced by an Airbus fleet.

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

The new Hong Kong Airlines Lounge was called "Club Bauhinia" and started operations on June 27, 2014, replacing the existing lounge.

In February 2015, Hong Kong Airlines signed an agreement for sub-lease with the Airport Authority Hong Kong to develop a flight training centre on a plot of land of 0.6 hectare located at the southeast edge of the Hong Kong International Airport.

In March 2015, Hong Kong Airlines 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–present: Back in intercontinental expansion

On 28th November 2016, Hong Kong Airlines commemorated its 10th Anniversary with a grand celebration with distinguished guests that included government officials and business leaders. The momentous anniversary celebration was used to launch the next phase of growth and expansion for Hong Kong Airlines with the theme being ″Flying Beyond″. ″Flying Beyond″ was a sign of further route expansion to current and new markets, fleet growth, expansion with the Airbus A350, enhanced customer service, amenities and facilities.

On 26th April 2017, air split air cargo business in Hong Kong was set up as an independent subsidiary cargo airline of Hong Kong (Hong Kong Cargo Airlines), and issued by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, the operator license, and airline transport licence issued by the licensing authority.

On 10th June 2017, Skytrax voted Hong Kong Airlines as one of the best regional airlines ranking second and received the 24th best ranking airline in the world. In the same ranking, taigang surpassed its competitors on Cathay Dragon.

On 8th August 2017, Atlas Air announced that it had placed three 747-400 freighters with Hong Kong Air Cargo, a subsidiary of Hong Kong Airlines. The first aircraft will enter service in September 2017, serving routes between the United States and Asia. Delivery of the remaining two aircraft is anticipated during 2018. All three aircraft will be operated by Atlas Air on behalf of Hong Kong Air Cargo.[23]

On 1st September 2017, Hong Kong Airlines received its first A350-900 and started operating the new VIP lounge "Club Autus" in the HKIA Midfield Concourse .

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

On 18th December 2017, Hong Kong Airlines started operating a direct flight to Los Angeles with the new A350-900 aircraft. At the same time, Hong Kong Airlines introduced a series of newly designed tableware meals, including porcelain, glassware and cutlery.

On 25th March 2018, Hong Kong Airlines started operating a direct flight to San Francisco with the new A350-900 aircraft.

Destinations

Codeshare agreements

Hong Kong Airlines codeshares with the following airlines:[24]

Fleet

Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A320 parked at Taichung Airport, Taiwan
Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A330-200 at Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A330-300 in new livery at Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A350-900 landing at Taoyuan International Airport

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. [29][30][31]

Hong Kong Airlines Fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers Notes
C Y Total
Airbus A320-200 11 — 8 144 152
— 174 174
Airbus A330-200 11 — 24 259 283
18 246 264
18 263 281
Airbus A330-300 10 13 32 260 292
30 255 285
Airbus A350-900 5 16 33 301 334
Cargo Fleet
Airbus A330-200F 5 — Cargo
Total 42 29

Fleet history

Hong Kong Airlines has previously operated the following aircraft:[32]

Hong Kong Airlines Retired Fleet
Aircraft Introduced Retired Notes
Boeing 737-300SF 2010 2012
Boeing 737-800 2006 2013
Bombardier CRJ-200ER 2006 2007
Bombardier CRJ-700 2006 2008

Corporate image and affairs

The airline's head office is currently located on the eleventh floor of One Citygate at Tung Chung, Lantau Island.[33]

The airline's head office was located on Level 2 of the CNAC House (中航大廈) on the property of Hong Kong International Airport in Lantau, Hong Kong.[34][35]

Hong Kong Airlines adopts red and purple color as the dominant colors and utilized in its uniforms and passenger cabin.

Subsidiary company

Hong Kong Airlines holds a number of subsidiary companies to manage its business:

  • Hong Kong Aviation Ground Services Limited (HAGSL): provides passenger self-handling services at Hong Kong International Airport
  • HKA Holidays Limited (HKA Holidays): sells different kinds of travel products, including fixed charter flights tickets, package and hotel accommodation.

Promotions

Under the brand positioning of "Fresh and Very Hong Kong", Hong Kong Airlines carried out a series of promotional campaigns:

TVC

2013: TV Commercial "Bringing the Best Sky High

Under the brand positioning of "Fresh and Very Hong Kong", the new TVC depicted flight attendants practising Wing Chun, gymnastics and cycling respectively following Rose Chan, the Aviation Service Ambassador, Teng Haibin and Zhang Nan, the Olympic Champions, and Kenji Leung, the Cycling coach. with an aim to showcase the image of Hong Kong Airlines’ flight attendants.[36]

Movie and Media

The airline was the aviation sponsor for the 2013 TVB drama Triumph In The Skies 2 (衝上雲宵II).[37] and the 2014 Triumph in the Skies movie (衝上雲宵-電影版).[38]

Sports

Hong Kong Airlines is selected as the Official Carrier for Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled.[39]

Education and community

Hong Kong Airlines has engaged in community affairs, including joining the Caritas Fund Raising Bazaars for six consecutive years since 2009 and sponsored the "World Diabetes Day 2012" Hong Kong events.

The airline has a number of student sponsorship and aviation education programmes, such as "Triumph Sky High" Junior Programme, "Embrace the World" Student Sponsorship Programme and School Sharing Workshops.[40]

Loyalty programs

The Fortune Wings Club is a global frequent flyer program 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; VIP members have additional privileges of dedicated First or Business Class check in counters, lounge access, bonus mileage and extra baggage allowance.[41]

Services

Ground services

HongKong Airlines check-in counter area at the Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong Airlines provides a wide variety of customer services at airports all over the world. At Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), the check-in counter located at Aisle K of Terminal 1.

Priority check-in

Hong Kong Airlines provides different priority check-in services for its passengers. Business Class checkin zone is located at the front of the checkin aisle providing a seamless checkin experience without further transportation of luggages. In-town check-in stations of Hong Kong Airlines are located at both Hong Kong and Kowloon Station of the Airport Express Line for passengers to proceed check-in one day before boarding. Moreover, Hong Kong Airlines provides through check-in service. Passengers with flight connections on the following carriers can obtain their boarding passes for their onward flights upon checking in on their departure city.

Electronic check-in

Hong Kong Airlines passengers can use electronic check-in service at the Hong Kong International Airport, and flights departing from Taipei, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai Pudong and Bali prior to boarding.

Airport VIP lounge

Entrance of Hong Kong Airlines Lounge "Club Bauhinia"

There are two Hong Kong Airlines owned and operated VIP lounges, Club Autus and Club Bauhinia, at its hub Hong Kong International Airport.

Opened on September 1, 2017, Club Autus is located on the seventh floor of the Midfield Concourse (MFC), where HKA’s hub is located, and has the area of 1400 square-meter with the longest gourmet corridor among the VIP lounges in the airport of 20 metres, as well as dedicated cocktail and oriental tea selection to the lounge. Club Autus is divided into Premier Zone and Business Zone, where Business Zone is further divided into different functional areas including leisure place, family place, personal care station and scenery zone, all of which cater to customers’ different needs.

Club Autus has also introduced the Royole Moon™ 3D virtual mobile theatre with the world first scalable 800-inch curved screen design, for 3D movies and video games. The scenery zone can overlook the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the panoramic views of airport apron at sunset, through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the in-door balcony of the lounge.

Club Bauhinia was opened on June 27, 2014, Located near Gate 23, Terminal One, has the area of 506 square-meter and can accommodates up to 120 passengers. Club Bauhinia serves Hong Kong Airlines Business Class passengers, Foutune Wings Club Elite members as well as entitled first and business class passengers travelling with partner airlines.[42]

Cabin service

Most of the aircraft in the fleet are equipped with an AVOD in-flight entertainment system. An In-flight Magazine "Aspire" is available to passengers with travel and lifestyle articles.[43]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hong Kong Airlines – Hong Kong to Worldwide Air tickets, Online Special Air fares and Airline Reservation. "Hong Kong Airlines – About Us & Overview – The Company Profile". Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  2. ↑ "Club Autus awarded "Best New Lounge" by TheDesignAir". Hong Kong Airlines. 2017-12-15. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
  3. ↑ Wallis, Keith (8 November 2001). "China Rich to launch helicopter service". The Standard. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  4. 1 2 "Sale and Purchase Agreements Relating to the Sale and Purchase of Shares in Apex Capital Limited" (PDF) (Press release). China TianDiXing Logistics Holdings Limited & Apex Capital Limited. 31 October 2006. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
  5. ↑ "CR awarded Hong Kong ticket" (PDF). Flight International. Reed Business Information. 26 March – 1 April 2002. p. 31. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
  6. ↑ Wallis, Keith (June 28, 2003). "CR Airways third airline in town". The Standard. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  7. 1 2 "Directory: world airlines" (PDF). Flight International. Reed Business Information. 23–29 March 2004. p. 58. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Hong Kong regional starts up". Flight International. Reed Business Information. July 1, 2003. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  9. ↑ "CR Airways plans fleet additions". Flight International. Reed Business Information. September 23, 2003. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Hong Kong pair near China rights". Flight International. Reed Business Information. April 26, 2005. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  11. ↑ "CRJ700s for CR". Flight International. Reed Business Information. July 5, 2005. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  12. ↑ "CR Airways signs MoU for 787s and 737s". Flight International. Reed Business Information. December 20, 2005. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  13. ↑ Loong, Alman (December 21, 2005). "CR Airways sets up deal to buy 40 Boeing jets". The Standard. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  14. ↑ "Hainan Airlines takes large minority stake in CR Airways". Flight International. Reed Business Information. June 27, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  15. ↑ ""Bauhinia is Our Heart, Soaring beyond Hong Kong Skies" The Launch Ceremony of Hong Kong Airlines Limited" (Press release). Hong Kong Airlines. November 28, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  16. ↑ "HK Airlines inks deal with Airbus for 51 jets". The Standard. June 22, 2007. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  17. ↑ June 2007 e-Newsletter edition Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine.. galileo.com
  18. ↑ "Hong Kong Airlines starts medium haul passenger and cargo service" (Press release). Hong Kong Airlines. October 24, 2008. Archived from the original on December 6, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  19. ↑ Cohen, Amon (November 11, 2011). "Hong Kong Airlines Targets 'Top-End Corporate Market' With All-Premium London Service". Business Travel News. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  20. ↑ "Hong Kong Airlines to end London service". August 8, 2012.
  21. ↑ HX 3 架 A330VIP 宜家有咩用 ?? - 航空 - 香港討論區 discuss.com.hk - 一個香港只得一個香港討論區. Discuss.com.hk. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  22. ↑ Hong Kong Airlines 2871一問 - 航空 - 香港討論區 discuss.com.hk - 一個香港只得一個香港討論區. Discuss.com.hk. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  23. ↑ Aviation Tribune article dated 8 August 2017, "Atlas Air Places Three 747-400Fs with Hong Kong Air Cargo;" http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/north-america/atlas-air-places-three-747-400fs-hong-kong-air-cargo/
  24. ↑ "Profile on Hong Kong Airlines". CAPA. Centre for Aviation. Archived from the original on 2016-10-29. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  25. ↑ "El Al to have a codeshare agreement with Hong Kong Airlines".
  26. ↑ Van Den Driessche, Maarten (August 3, 2017). "Hong Kong Airlines signs codeshare agreement with Fiji Airways".
  27. ↑ "Jet Airways signs code sharing agreement with Hong Kong Airlines".
  28. ↑ "Hong Kong airlines to have codeshare agreement".
  29. ↑ Hong Kong Airlines fleet list at planespotters.net Archived 2011-07-01 at the Wayback Machine.
  30. ↑ "Entertainment". Hong Kong Airlines. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
  31. ↑ "Hong Kong Airlines-Our Fleet". Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Hong Kong Airlines Fleet Details and History". Planespotters.net. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  33. ↑ "Contact Us." Hong Kong Airlines. Retrieved on 16 May 2013. "Headquarters / Tung Chung Office Address: 7th Floor, One Citygate, 20 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau, Hong Kong" – Chinese address: "總公司 / 東涌辦事處 地址: 香港大嶼山東涌達東路20號東薈城一座7樓"
  34. ↑ "Contact Us > Hong Kong." Hong Kong Airlines. Retrieved on 7 November 2011. "Headquarter Office Address: L2 CNAC House, 12 Tung Fai Road, Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau, Hong Kong"
  35. ↑ "聯繫我們 > 香港辦事處." Hong Kong Airlines. Retrieved on 7 November 2011. "地址: 香港大嶼山香港國際機場東輝路12號中航大廈2樓"
  36. ↑ Hong Kong Airlines – Hong Kong to Worldwide Air tickets, Online Special Air fares and Airline Reservation. "Hong Kong Airlines – Hong Kong to Worldwide Air tickets, Online Special Air fares and Airline Reservation". Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  37. ↑ "." Premiere of Triumph in the Skies ⅡHong Kong Airlines press release released 15 July 2013
  38. ↑ 电影冲上云霄内地首发 香港航空邀你一起"微探班". Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  39. ↑ Hong Kong Airlines – Hong Kong to Worldwide Air tickets, Online Special Air fares and Airline Reservation. "Hong Kong Airlines – Hong Kong to Worldwide Air tickets, Online Special Air fares and Airline Reservation". Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  40. ↑ Hong Kong Airlines – Hong Kong to Worldwide Air tickets, Online Special Air fares and Airline Reservation. "Hong Kong Airlines – Hong Kong to Worldwide Air tickets, Online Special Air fares and Airline Reservation". Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  41. ↑ "Fortune Wings Club". Fortune Wings Club. Archived from the original on August 18, 2009. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
  42. ↑ Hong Kong Airlines – Hong Kong to Worldwide Air tickets, Online Special Air fares and Airline Reservation. "Hong Kong Airlines Check-In – HK Airport Counters & In-Town Sites". Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  43. ↑ "Cinmedia – Inflight Magazine Production & Advertising Agent – ASPIRE About the magazine". Retrieved 10 July 2015.

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