Hong Kong Airlines aims to double passenger capacity by 2024

After three exceptionally challenging years of pandemic, Hong Kong Airlines operations have returned to trajectory this year, enabling a swift business recovery.

Mr Jevey Zhang, Chairman of Hong Kong Airlines, stated, “We are very pleased to see that our flight operations have returned to pre-pandemic levels before year-end, surpassing our initial forecast of a full recovery by mid-2024. We also anticipate that our average passenger load factor to rebound to 85% by 2023."

This year, Hong Kong Airlines has increased the number of destinations in Japan to nine, including Kumamoto, Hakodate and Yonago, which will be added to the existing Fukuoka and Nagoya services in December. On the Chinese mainland, flights to eight cities, totaling 10 destinations were resumed this year.  

Due to the recovery in tourism and the impact of the yen exchange rate, the performance of the Japanese market was the most prominent. Passenger load factors during the traditional peak travel season of summer holidays remained above 90% this year.  It is expected that Japan will remain a preferred destination for travellers during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Hong Kong Airlines continues to review its investment in the Mainland China market and enhance its existing flight network strategy to build air bridges for inter-regional travel and trade. It currently operates from two major airports of Beijing, Shanghai, and Hainan Island, to promote the development of an air passenger and cargo trade hub.

Hong Kong Airlines has also pledged to continue playing a crucial role in promoting exchanges between Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and mainland cities, such as launching services to the northwest region of China to strengthen connections with the Belt and Road markets, facilitating links with international business travel and consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international aviation hub.