HK Airlines returns to long-haul market

The airline will resume its Gold Coast direct service on 17 January 2025.

Hong Kong Airlines officially returns to the long-haul market as it resumes its Gold Coast direct service, starting 17 January 2025. 

The service, which will run four times weekly, will provide passengers with convenient travel options between Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and the Gold Coast. 

It will also resume its twice weekly Vancouver route, starting 18 January. 

This comes as Hong Kong Airlines saw an average passenger load factor of 85%. It also expects to carry more than 5 million passengers by the end of 2024.

Moreover, the third runway system (3RS) at the airport is scheduled to operate at the end of November, which will increase flights to Seoul (twice daily) and Tokyo (five times daily), whilst Sapporo flights will be daily. It will also launch the Sendai route in December.

To cope with business growth, the airline has recruited 600 new employees this year bringing the total number of cabin crew to more than 1200.

Looking ahead, Hong Kong Airlines expects to increase employees by 60% next year, with a 60% increase in pilots and a 1.6-fold increase in cabin crew. Recruitment will continue in the local market and the GBA, South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia regions.

Furthermore, in celebration of its 18th anniversary, the airline will launch a year-round upgrade service from 28 November for passengers flying on their birthday. They can enjoy buy-one-get-one-free upgrades, priority boarding, complimentary lounge access, and birthday surprise gifts.