HK Express Plans Fleet Expansion to 40 Aircraft Amid Surging Demand
HK Express, a subsidiary of Cathay Pacific, is gearing up for significant growth, with plans to increase its fleet size to 40 aircraft by the end of the year, despite facing temporary challenges with Pratt & Whitney engine inspections. Currently operating 33 Airbus A320-family narrowbodies, the airline anticipates the addition of seven more aircraft in the coming months to support its ambitious capacity expansion. This move is in response to a robust demand for air travel in the Greater Bay Area, with current capacity already surpassing pre-pandemic levels by approximately 40%.
During Routes Asia 2024, held in Langkawi, Malaysia, Matthew Choi, general manager of corporate planning at HK Express, shared insights into the airline’s strategic growth plans. Despite the temporary grounding of some aircraft for engine inspections, Choi remains optimistic about managing fleet availability effectively, thanks to the incoming new aircraft. This fleet expansion is crucial for sustaining the airline’s growth trajectory and offsetting any temporary operational constraints.
HK Express is particularly optimistic about future demand emanating from the Greater Bay Area. Despite slot constraints at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), the airline is actively exploring opportunities to expand its network. The anticipated completion of the Three-runway System project by the end of 2024 is expected to significantly enhance operational capacity, enabling HK Express to tap into new markets and increase frequencies to existing destinations.
The airline has already announced two new routes for this year, with daily flights to Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) set to commence on March 12, followed by daily service to Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) beginning April 25. These expansions underscore HK Express’s commitment to growth and its bullish outlook on the demand for air travel in the region, leveraging the enhanced capacity and connectivity opportunities presented by the upcoming completion of HKG’s Three-runway System.