LON-HKG-Oz

[Harbour Rat]

Looks like the 'Wooly Pulley' is most of the way to getting his Oz wish:

Press Release

VIRGIN ATLANTIC ANNOUNCES PLANS TO OPERATE TO AUSTRALIA 27NOVEMBER 2003

VSO47/2003 27 November 2003 VIRGIN ATLANTIC ANNOUNCES PLANS TO OPERATE TO AUSTRALIA
Sir Richard Branson today welcomed the deal reached between the UK and Hong Kong to liberalise their air services arrangements and announced that Virgin Atlantic plans to launch services to Australia, via Hong Kong, from next summer.


Commenting on the deal Sir Richard said:

“Everyone at Virgin Atlantic has long wished for the airline to operate to Australia, and today’s deal between Hong Kong and the UK means that our ambition will soon become a reality. This is truly a dream come true for the travelling public and everyone at Virgin Atlantic.

“I am very grateful to the Hong Kong authorities for agreeing to this change to the air services arrangements, and to UK Ministers for the offer of trans-Atlantic rights to Hong Kong carriers that made this deal possible. I would also like to express my thanks to all of those in Hong Kong who have helped us achieve this result, and especially the Airport Authority of Hong Kong.

[Flying Bagel]

So would the long standing rumour of LHR-JFK come true? Haven't heard this bit of news yet, so this is quite a surprise.

Hmmm...

[404 Titan]

HK. UK agree on air traffic rights expansion

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Government of the United Kingdom yesterday reached agreement on a new set of air traffic rights after three days of negotiations in Hong Kong.

The new traffic rights provide for unlimited capacity on routes between Hong Kong and the UK, a comprehensive code-share arrangement as well as additional fifth-freedom rights for both sides. The new arrangement will be brought into effect after the UK has completed the necessary procedures with the European Union.

Mr Wilson Fung, the Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, who led the HKSAR delegation in this round of negotiations, said that he was very pleased with the outcome. He explained that in pursuit of the Government's "progressive liberalisation" policies on air services, the two sides had agreed to remove all existing capacity restrictions on air services between Hong Kong and the UK.

"The new set of traffic rights liberalises air services between Hong Kong and the UK," he said. "This will greatly enhance competition on this very important route and will benefit the travelling public and consumers."

The new package includes fifth-freedom rights for the UK airlines to operate beyond Hong Kong to Sydney and for Hong Kong airlines to operate beyond London to New York. "The equitable exchange of fifths will enable airlines of the two sides to further expand their network, thus bringing more flights into and out of the Hong Kong International Airport," Mr Fung said, adding this was clearly important for Hong Kong to maintain its role as an international aviation and logistics hub.

Mr Fung was optimistic that once the new package of rights was brought into effect, it would contribute significantly to Hong Kong's aviation industry and to our overall economy. He said the Government would continue to pursue its progressive liberalisation policy and he looked forward to meeting other open-minded aviation partners.


Government press release


Personally I wouldn’t get too excited until the EU ratifies the deal. The EU in the past has gazumped similar deals. We will just have to wait till the final decision has been made before we all get too excited. Personally I think Virgin Atlantic has jumped the gun with all their press releases claiming success in the bilateral air talks before the EU has been able to rule on it.

[Fly747]

Interestingly this now means that Dragonair also has the right to fly to London and Sydney!
Watch this space.
340 rumour untrue?

[Dan Winterland]

It's been denied officially twice now. This must mean it is true! :eek: