Hong Kong Airlines Launches Gold Coast Route, Eyes North American Expansion

Hong Kong Airlines is rekindling its long-haul operations with a new seasonal service to Australia, marking a significant step in its expansion plans. Starting January 17, 2025, the airline will launch nonstop flights between Hong Kong International Airport and Gold Coast Airport, operating four times a week for five weeks, coinciding with the Chinese Lunar New Year. The service will use Airbus A330 aircraft, offering around 6,000 seats.

This route reestablishes Hong Kong Airlines’ long-haul capabilities after a hiatus due to the pandemic and a subsequent HK$49 billion ($6.3 billion) debt restructuring. The airline’s fleet has been downsized from 53 to 20 aircraft.

Hong Kong Airlines’ Chairman, Jeff Sun, highlighted that this route marks the beginning of a broader long-haul network expansion, including potential routes to North America. Cities under consideration for future routes include Vancouver, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

Previously, Hong Kong Airlines operated year-round flights to Gold Coast until October 2018. The resumption of this route is seen as a positive move for the Gold Coast’s recovery, given its importance as a market for Chinese visitors.

OAG Schedules Analyser data indicates that Hong Kong Airlines suspended its long-haul services in February 2020, including routes to Male, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. In 2019, the airline also offered nonstop flights to Auckland and San Francisco.

The carrier underwent a significant restructuring in 2022, reducing its widebody fleet and returning all A350s to lessors. Currently, Hong Kong Airlines operates 22 aircraft, consisting of 13 A320s, one A321, and eight A330-300s, with an additional eight A330s inactive.