Tiddly Eater
23rd May 2009, 03:07
Hong Kong Airlines charts course to Europe
Charlotte So
May 23, 2009
|
Hong Kong Airlines, a subsidiary of HNA Group, planned to develop long-haul routes to European destinations in the next six months despite the current downturn in air traffic, its president said yesterday.
The airline plans to take delivery of five aircraft in the next year - three Airbus 330s and two A320s.
"We have adopted several measures to streamline the company and improve the operations through marketing enhancement, and we need to further develop in the next six months," airline president Yang Jianhong said during the opening ceremony of an aircraft hangar at Chek Lap Kok airport.
Losses at Hong Kong Airlines and sister company Hong Kong Express Airways had been sharply reduced, falling 75 per cent in the first four months from the same period last year, Mr Yang said.
This had been achieved through laying off pilots and cabin crew and reducing capacity by 30 to 40 per cent this year. However, Mr Yang did not provide any financial figures.
"Things are unlikely to turn around this year, but it could be possible next year," he said.
Mr Yang confirmed reports that Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express, both partially owned by HNA, were considering a merger.
Hong Kong Airlines, which operates eight Boeing 737-800 aircraft, and Hong Kong Express, which has six B737-800s, fly to about 20 destinations through code-sharing programmes.
Their combined network covers Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Bangkok, Phuket and Okinawa.
Mr Yang denied reports that casino mogul Stanley Ho Hung-sun planned to offload his 25 per cent stake in Hong Kong Express.
Seems they cannot count properly - last time I checked, HKA had only 2 aircraft. Anyway, still some priceless comments.
Charlotte So
May 23, 2009
|
Hong Kong Airlines, a subsidiary of HNA Group, planned to develop long-haul routes to European destinations in the next six months despite the current downturn in air traffic, its president said yesterday.
The airline plans to take delivery of five aircraft in the next year - three Airbus 330s and two A320s.
"We have adopted several measures to streamline the company and improve the operations through marketing enhancement, and we need to further develop in the next six months," airline president Yang Jianhong said during the opening ceremony of an aircraft hangar at Chek Lap Kok airport.
Losses at Hong Kong Airlines and sister company Hong Kong Express Airways had been sharply reduced, falling 75 per cent in the first four months from the same period last year, Mr Yang said.
This had been achieved through laying off pilots and cabin crew and reducing capacity by 30 to 40 per cent this year. However, Mr Yang did not provide any financial figures.
"Things are unlikely to turn around this year, but it could be possible next year," he said.
Mr Yang confirmed reports that Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express, both partially owned by HNA, were considering a merger.
Hong Kong Airlines, which operates eight Boeing 737-800 aircraft, and Hong Kong Express, which has six B737-800s, fly to about 20 destinations through code-sharing programmes.
Their combined network covers Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Bangkok, Phuket and Okinawa.
Mr Yang denied reports that casino mogul Stanley Ho Hung-sun planned to offload his 25 per cent stake in Hong Kong Express.
Seems they cannot count properly - last time I checked, HKA had only 2 aircraft. Anyway, still some priceless comments.