Hong Kong Airlines to launch Australian services
Hong Kong Airlines is set to launch its first thrice-weekly services to Australia from 8 January 2016, subject to regulatory approval.
The new triangular service on an Airbus A330 will commence from Hong Kong to Gold Coast, continuing to Cairns enroute back to Hong Kong, the airline stated.
The A330 will feature 292 seats including 32 business class seats to operate services on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
“Hong Kong Airlines is delighted to announce this long-anticipated triangular service between Hong Kong and Australia,” Hong Kong Airlines commercial director, Li Dianchun, said at the signing ceremony in Queensland today.
“The route is designed to cater to the growing demand for tourism in Gold Coast and Cairns, both of which are popular destinations for leisure travel. Leveraging our connectivity in Asia via the international hub Hong Kong, we believe the new service will be well received by the passengers especially those from Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chengdu, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Okinawa, Bangkok and Taipei, bringing them more travel options.”
Gold Coast Airport chief operating officer, David Collins, said the additional services was a positive step forward for the region to tap into the greater China market.
“Our Business Development and Marketing team have been working with Hong Kong Airlines and distribution contacts in China for two years to bring this service to fruition. We are well aware of the demand for services between Gold Coast and China, and are confident this thrice-weekly service will perform strongly during the extended charter period,” he said.
Australia has seen a steady rise of Hong Kong travellers visiting Australia in the past 6 years with latest statistics revealing holiday makers contribute to 72.5% of Hong Kong visitors to Queensland in 2014. Total visitor count from Hong Kong to Queensland also rose notably by 15% year-on-year in the same period.
Flight schedule for the Gold Coast/ Cairns route:
Flight Number: Route: Departure / Arrival Time* Frequency
HX015 Hong Kong to Gold Coast 21:30/08:30+1 Every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday
HX016 Gold Coast to Cairns 10:30/12:45 Every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday
HX016 Cairns to Hong Kong 13:50 / 19:10 Every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday
*All local time; subject to regulatory approval
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
airline asia aviation cairns gold coast hong kong Hong Kong AirlinesLatest News
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