Singapore is not one of Hong Kong’s top five most extensive routes as HK Express suspends service

Singapore is no longer one of Hong Kong’s top five most significant routes in terms of seats after local carrier HK Express recently suspended its service to the city-state. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, Singapore ranked seventh for scheduled seat capacity from Hong Kong in July, dropping from fifth over the same period in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic. The ranking records the number of seats offered by airlines per month.
 
Meanwhile, Hong Kong dropped out of the top 10 most popular routes from the city-state under the measure, now ranking 11th. It was the third strongest route from Singapore in 2019, behind Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. Higher airfares, fewer budget carrier options and less integration between the two places were among the reasons for weakening demand, according to experts.
 
Since Hong Kong lifted most of its travel restrictions last December, flights have gradually increased, and so has passenger traffic. Hong Kong International Airport handled 3.1 million passengers in May, which was 50 per cent of the level recorded in 2019. From this month, there will be fewer flights between the two financial centres since the lifting of travel curbs, amid sluggish demand.