Hong Kong Airlines will resume direct flights between the city and Australia’s Gold Coast from January next year. This would be the airline’s first step back into the long-haul market as it expands its network, including a possible return to the North American market.
The airline announced on Thursday that flights to Gold Coast will be offered seasonally from January 17 to February 15. During the Chinese New Year, flights will be offered four times a week. The airline will offer around 6,000 seats on a wide-body A330 aircraft.
Jeff Sun, the company’s chief executive, said Hong Kong Airlines was the first local carrier to resume the Australia route, marking the beginning of its return to the long-haul market.
“The opening of this route marks our first step back into the long-haul market as we gradually introduce more aircraft to support the expansion of our route network,” he said.
“This includes actively exploring a return to the North American market, with routes to Vancouver, Toronto, Los Angeles and Seattle being considered.”
Sun said they expected the Gold Coast to become a popular destination not only for travelers from Hong Kong, but also from their extensive network in mainland China.
“They can enjoy the beautiful weather, stunning coastline and exciting activities Queensland has to offer, further strengthening the cultural, tourism and business ties between these regions,” he said.
Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans said the move underlined the importance of the mainland as a market for the country.
“China has always been an important visitor market for the Gold Coast and Queensland in general, so reconnecting with Hong Kong represents a positive step forward on our path to international recovery,” she said.
Queensland’s Minister for Tourism and Sport, Michael Healy, said the new route would connect Gold Coast Airport to Hong Kong for the first time in six years, providing Asian visitors with better access to holiday destinations in southeast Queensland.
Hong Kong Airlines’ decision is in line with efforts by local airlines to expand their flight offerings to boost business growth in the face of increasing competition.
HK Express, the low-cost carrier of Cathay Pacific Airways, announced last week that it would launch a new service between Hong Kong and Malaysia’s Penang International Airport from November 21. It will also launch daily flights between Hong Kong and Phu Quoc in Vietnam from December 6.
The announcement followed Mayor John Lee Ka-chiu’s six-day visit to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, where Cathay Pacific CEO Ronald Lam Siu-por was part of the high-level delegation.
Greater Bay Airlines will also launch direct flights between Hong Kong and Yonago, a lesser-known Japanese city in Tottori Prefecture, on October 27, expanding its network in Japan from Tokyo and Osaka.
The new service between Hong Kong and Yonago Kitaro Airport will operate three times a week.
