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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 95.89.250.170 (talk) at 10:19, 2 June 2013 (→Fleet: according to Airbus there are still 10 A380 on order). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Not to be confused with Air Hong Kong, Hong Kong Airways, Hong Kong Express Airways, or Dragonair.
Hong Kong Airlines
香港航空
IATA ICAO Call sign
HX CRK BAUHINIA
Founded28 March 2001
(as CR Airways)
HubsHong Kong International Airport
Frequent-flyer programFortune Wings Club
Fleet size26
Destinations24 excl. cargo and charter
Parent companyHainan Airlines (45%)
HeadquartersHong Kong International Airport
Lantau, Hong Kong
Key people
  • Robert Yip (Founder)
  • Yang Jian Hong (President)
  • Kalid Razack (CEO)
  • Sun Jian Feng (COO)
Websitewww.hongkongairlines.com

Hong Kong Airlines Ltd (Chinese: 香港航空有限公司; pinyin: Xiānggǎng Hángkōng Yǒuxiàngōngsī; Jyutping: hoeng1 gong2 hong4 hung1 jau5 haan6 gung1 si1), formerly CR Airways Limited (Chinese: 中富航空有限公司; pinyin: Zhōngfù Hángkōng Yǒuxiàngōngsī; Jyutping: zung1 fu3 hong4 hung1 jau5 haan6 gung1 si1, IATA: N8), is a Hong Kong-based airline, with its main hub and corporate head office at Hong Kong International Airport. The airline operates scheduled regional passenger and cargo services to 10 destinations within the People's Republic of China and Vietnam, including codeshares with its sister airline, Hong Kong Express Airways.

The airline was founded as CR Airways by Robert Yip on 28 March 2001 and began helicopter passenger charter operations with a Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopter. It was Hong Kong's first helicopter operator to receive an Air Operator's Certificate since the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was established. Mainland Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines and Mr Mung Kin Keung took over the airline in 2006 by acquiring a 45 percent and 55 percent holdings in the airline, respectively. The airline officially changed its name to Hong Kong Airlines Limited on 28 November 2006 and introduced a new logo representing a bauhinia flower, a Hong Kong native flower.

History

A CR Airways Boeing 737–800 at Hong Kong International Airport. (2006)

Robert Yip, the chairman of China Rich Holdings, with business interests in Chinese medicine, internet portal, construction and property development, established CR Airways in Hong Kong on 28 March 2001.[1][2] The airline received its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) with a 285 kilometres per hour (177 mph) 12 passenger Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopter in early 2002. It was Hong Kong's third commercial helicopter operator and the first helicopter operator to receive an AOC since Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of People's Republic of China.[3]

On 27 June 2003, CR Airways became Hong Kong's third passenger airline after receiving a revised AOC from the Director of Civil Aviation Albert Lam and operated its first passenger flight on the next day.[4] It started passenger charter operations to Laoag, Philippines on 5 July 2003, with a Bombardier CRJ200 leased from GE Capital Aviation Services.[5][6] In September 2003, the airline applied for traffic rights to operate scheduled passenger services to Laoag and Chinese cities of Jinan, Naning, Meixian and Wenzhou. In addition, Robert Yip sold 40 percent of the airline to his company, China Rich Holdings, for HK$180 million.[7] By March 2004, the airline had added Siem Reap, Cambodia to its charter network.[5]

A Hong Kong Airlines Boeing 737–800 takes off from Hong Kong International Airport. (2007)

In April 2005, the Hong Kong Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) granted a five-year licence to transport passengers, cargo and mail to China; the airline was free to apply for traffic rights to 10 cities in China.[8] On 5 July 2005, the airline announced the purchase of two Bombardier CRJ700s from Danish carrier Maersk Air, scheduled to arrive in July and mid-August, respectively.[9] In addition, the airline had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing for the purchase of 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 Boeing 737–800s on 20 December 2005 at a listed price of US$3.28 billion. An executive of the airline had told reporters that some of the Boeing aircraft was from Hainan Airlines' order.[10][11]

On 27 June 2006, Hainan Airlines purchased a 45 percent holdings of the airline and the holdings would be transferred to Grand China Air, a new holding company of Hainan Airlines.[12] Two months later, Mr Mung Kin Keung acquired the remaining 55 percent of the airline and became the controlling shareholder on 7 August; and its director on 13 August. On 22 September 2006, CR Airways Limited officially changed its name to Hong Kong Airlines Limited and a launch ceremony took place on 28 November. The airline also introduced a new logo, which represents a bauhinia flower, the symbol of Hong Kong where the airline is anchored. The new logo also represents the close relationship between the airline and Hong Kong and its new era in the civil aviation industry.[2][13] The airline made the biggest aircraft order in its young history on 21 June 2007, by ordering 51 narrow- and wide-body aircraft from European plane maker, Airbus, at an estimated value of US$5.6 billion.[14] The airline's IATA code was changed from N8 to HX on 27 May 2007.[15]

On 24 October 2008, the airline announced plans in preparation for the arrival of the Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft, which included personnel and fleet composition. The new aircraft will provide medium haul passenger and cargo services to the Middle East and Australia.[16]

On 8 June 2010, Hong Kong Airlines successfully completed their proving flight from Hong Kong to Beijing and return earning their Air Operating's Certificate for the Airbus A330 operations from HKCAD. Captain Mikey Ng (Malaysian) and Captain Nejad (Iranian) were the first 2 commanders flying the A330-200 for the airline.

On 28 June 2010, schedule flight to Moscow was successfully launched.

Cellphone usage on Hong Kong Airlines flights will soon be allowed between 2009–2010. The service is stated to be provided by OnAir.[17]

On 22 October 2010, Hong Kong Airlines officially joined the IATA.

On 8 March 2012, Hong Kong Airlines launched a daily Hong Kong – London Gatwick service with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The aircraft on this route will be operating as an all Club Class service, featuring 34 “Club Premier” (business class lie-flat beds) and 82 “Club Classic” (cradle style recliner business class) seats.[18] However, due to poor demands, this route will end on September 10.[19] Meanwhile, Manchester City F.C. chose Hong Kong Airlines for domestic transportation as HX2871/CRK2871 from Gatwick to Manchester[20][21]

Destinations

Main article: Hong Kong Airlines destinations

Codeshare agreements

Hong Kong Airlines has codeshare agreements with the following airlines (as of January 2013):

Fleet

As of February 2013, the Hong Kong Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft with an average age of 3.9 years:[22][23][24]

Hong Kong Airlines Fleet
Aircraft Total Orders Passengers Notes
F J Y Total
Airbus A320-200
8[25]
21[26]
0
8
144
150
Airbus A330-200 6
-
0
24
259
283
3
-
116
-
116
wet lease to Hainan Airlines
Airbus A330-300
4
-
0
32
260
292
Airbus A350-900
-
15
TBA
To enter service in 2018
Airbus A380-800
-
10[27]
TBA
To enter service in 2015
Hong Kong Airlines Cargo Fleet
Airbus A330-200F 4 [28]
-
N/A
Boeing 737-300F
-
-
N/A
3 To Yangtze River Express
Total 25 43

All A330s are equipped with a video broadcasting system with 20 9 inches (23 cm)-wide ceiling or wall-mounted liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors, with two in Business Class and 18 in Economy Class.

Aircraft orders

On 20 December 2005, the airline signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Boeing to acquire 30 Boeing 737–800 aircraft and 10 Boeing 787 aircraft.[29] However, according to the airline's website, there is only a firm order of four Boeing 737–800 aircraft, with no mention of a firm order for the Boeing 787 aircraft.[30]

On 21 June 2007, the airline signed an MOU with Airbus to acquire 30 Airbus A320s, 20 Airbus A330-200s powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700[31] engines and one Airbus Corporate Jet. The order was subsequently confirmed with the signing of a firm contract with Airbus on 12 September 2007 and it will be shared between the airline and its sister airline Hong Kong Express Airways.[30][32][33] In December 2008, three of the original orders for 20 A330-200s were converted to A330-300s and transferred to Hong Kong International Aviation Leasing. They will be operated by Hong Kong Airlines.[34]

On 4 February 2010, Airbus announced another MOU signed with Hong Kong Airlines to acquire 6 more Airbus A330-200s.[35] These will have Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines[36] and were originally ordered by Grupo Marsans. At the same time, one of the A330-243s on order was converted to a −343.

At the Farnborough Air Show in July 2010, Airbus announced that Hong Kong Airlines had signed a MOU to convert orders for 15 A330s to A350s and place an additional order for 10 A330-200s.[37] No engine selection for the additional A330s was announced.

In early 2011, there were rumours that Hong Kong Airlines had ordered 15 B747-8 aircraft, but such an order never materialized.[38][39][40]

At the Paris Air Show in June 2011, Hong Kong Airlines had announced a signed contract for 10 Airbus A380's [41][42] however due to China's anger with the European Union over plans to force all airlines to take part in its carbon-trading scheme, the Chinese government has blocked progress on Airbus’s sale of 10 A380s to Hong Kong Airlines[43] Normally, airlines in Hong Kong are not required to seek approval from the Chinese government to proceed with aircraft orders. The A380 cancellation became an issue as Hong Kong Airlines' parent, Hainan Airlines, is registered in mainland China, not Hong Kong SAR. In early January 2012, HKA's corporate governance head Kenneth Thong stated in a TV interview that the order was going ahead.[44]

In December 2012, CEO Yang Jianhong told Bloomberg that "We won’t resume long haul routes in the short term. The carrier is discussing changing at least some of its 10 on-order A380s for A330s, and delaying deliveries."[45]

Retired

Aircraft that have been in service with Hong Kong Airlines are:

Hong Kong Airlines Retired Fleet[46]
Aircraft Introduced Retired Notes
Boeing 737-800 2006 2013 Replaced by Airbus A320[47]
Bombardier CRJ200[6][30] 2006 2007
Bombardier CRJ700[11][30] 2006 2008
Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopter[3][30] 2002

Corporate affairs

The airline's head office is currently located on the seventh floor of One Citygate at Tung Chung, Lantau Island.[48]

The airline's head office was located on Level 2 of the CNAC House (中航大廈, Cantonese: jung1 hong4 daai6 ha6, Mandarin: Zhōngháng Dàshà) on the property of Hong Kong International Airport in Lantau, Hong Kong.[49][50]

Loyalty programmes

Further information: Fortune Wings Club

The Fortune Wings Club is the loyalty programme for Hong Kong Airlines and its sister airlines, including Grand China Air, Grand China Express, Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Express Airways, Lucky Air and West Air. Membership benefits include air ticket redemption and upgrade; VIP members have additional privileges of dedicated First or Business Class check in counters, lounge access, bonus mileage and extra baggage allowance.[51]

Incidents and accidents

This covers Hong Kong Airlines flights.

  • 17 November 2011: Hong Kong Airlines Flight 752 was held hostage by passengers at Hong Kong Airport after a dispute between the airline and the passengers over compensation offered to them after a 9 hour delay on the tarmac at Changi Airport. The passengers were later removed from the aircraft by the police but 21 of them continued their protest at the airport terminal. This dispute was later settled after the airline agreed to increase the compensation.[52]
  • In January 2012, Hong Kong Airlines came under fire after reaching a deal involving dolphins captured in Tajii, Japan (the site of the annual dolphin drive hunt, featured in the Oscar winning film, The Cove) being transported to dolphin parks around the world. Passengers threatening a boycott against the airline ensued.[53]

See also

References

  1. ^ Wallis, Keith (8 November 2001). "China Rich to launch helicopter service". The Standard. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  2. ^ a b "Sale and Purchase Agreements Relating to the Sale and Purchase of Shares in Apex Capital Limited" (PDF) (Press release). China TianDiXing Logistics Holdings Limited & Apex Capital Limited. 31 October 2006. p. 6. Retrieved 2009-07-30. {{cite press release}}: line feed character in |publisher= at position 27 (help)
  3. ^ a b "CR awarded Hong Kong ticket" (PDF). Flight International. Reed Business Information. 26 March–1 April 2002. p. 31. Retrieved 2009-07-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Wallis, Keith (June 28, 2003). "CR Airways third airline in town". The Standard. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  5. ^ a b "Directory: world airlines" (PDF). Flight International. Reed Business Information. 23–29 March 2004. p. 58. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  6. ^ a b "Hong Kong regional starts up". Flight International. Reed Business Information. July 1, 2003. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  7. ^ "CR Airways plans fleet additions". Flight International. Reed Business Information. September 23, 2003. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  8. ^ "Hong Kong pair near China rights". Flight International. Reed Business Information. April 26, 2005. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  9. ^ "CRJ700s for CR". Flight International. Reed Business Information. July 5, 2005. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  10. ^ "CR Airways signs MoU for 787s and 737s". Flight International. Reed Business Information. December 20, 2005. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  11. ^ a b Loong, Alman (December 21, 2005). "CR Airways sets up deal to buy 40 Boeing jets". The Standard. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  12. ^ "Hainan Airlines takes large minority stake in CR Airways". Flight International. Reed Business Information. June 27, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  13. ^ ""Bauhinia is Our Heart, Soaring beyond Hong Kong Skies" The Launch Ceremony of Hong Kong Airlines Limited" (Press release). Hong Kong Airlines. November 28, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  14. ^ "HK Airlines inks deal with Airbus for 51 jets". The Standard. June 22, 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  15. ^ June 2007 e-Newsletter edition. galileo.com
  16. ^ "Hong Kong Airlines starts medium haul passenger and cargo service" (Press release). Hong Kong Airlines. October 24, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  17. ^ Sharkey, Joe (28 September 2009). "Foreign Airlines Ahead of U.S. on Cellphone Use". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
  18. ^ Cohen, Amon (November 11, 2011). "Hong Kong Airlines Targets 'Top-End Corporate Market' With All-Premium London Service". Business Travel News. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  19. ^ "Hong Kong Airlines to end London service". August 8, 2012.
  20. ^ 伸延閱讀. "HX 3 架 A330VIP 宜家有咩用 ?? - 航空 - 香港討論區 discuss.com.hk - 一個香港只得一個香港討論區". Discuss.com.hk. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  21. ^ 伸延閱讀. "Hong Kong Airlines 2871一問 - 航空 - 香港討論區 discuss.com.hk - 一個香港只得一個香港討論區". Discuss.com.hk. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  22. ^ www.hongkongairlines.com - Our Fleet
  23. ^ "Hong Kong Airlines fleet list". Planespotters.net. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  24. ^ "Entertainment". Hong Kong Airlines. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  25. ^ "Hong Kong Airlines Fleet Details and History - Planespotters.net Just Aviation". Planespotters.net. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  26. ^ "Aircraft and Fleet Lists". ch-aviation.ch. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  27. ^ http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/corporate-information/key-documents/?eID=dam_frontend_push&docID=28949
  28. ^ The latest A332F: B-LNW has been delivery to Hong Kong
  29. ^ "Boeing Issues Statement on CR Airways' MOU with Boeing for 787s, 737s" (Press release). Boeing. 20 December 2005. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
  30. ^ a b c d e "Our Fleet". Hong Kong Airlines. Archived from the original on July 31, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  31. ^ "Hong Kong Airlines selects Rolls-Royce Trent 700 for new A330 fleet" (Press release). Rolls-Royce. January 24, 2008. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  32. ^ "Hong Kong airlines buys 51 widebody and single aisle Airbus aircraft" (Press release). Airbus. June 21, 2007. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  33. ^ "Hong Kong Airlines seals Airbus deal at Asian Aerospace" (Press release). Airbus. September 12, 2007. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  34. ^ "Hainan looks to buy more aircraft leasing assets beyond Allco" (Press release). Flightglobal. January 8, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  35. ^ "Airbus announces Chinese MOU, delivery" (Press release). Seattle Pi Blogs. February 4, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
  36. ^ "Hong Kong Airlines Selects Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Advantage70 Engines in $470 Million Deal" (Press release). PR Newswire. February 5, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  37. ^ "Hong Kong Airlines signs MOU for 15 A350s and 10 more A330s" (Press release). Airbus. July 20, 2010.
  38. ^ [http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flight-international/2011/03/boeings-website-gives-away-hon.html "Boeing's website gives away Hong Kong Airlines order for 747-8I?" (Press release). Flightglobal. March 31, 2011.
  39. ^ [http://airlineindustryreview.com/hong-kong-airlines-orders-boeing-747-"Hong Kong Airlines Orders Boeing 747-8 ?" (Press release). Airline Industry Review.
  40. ^ >[http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/hong-kong-airlines-orders-b747-8-and-a380-aircraft"Hong Kong Airlines to fly Boeing's 747-8 Intercontinental?" (Press release). Business Traveller. June 22, 2011.
  41. ^ "AIRSHOW-Hong Kong Airlines behind A380 order-source". Reuters. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  42. ^ Joanne Chiu (June 14, 2011). "Hong Kong Airlines to Order Superjumbo Jets". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  43. ^ Cantle, Katie (June 28, 2011-06-28). "Chinese government reportedly blocks A380 order over EU ETS". ATWOnline. Retrieved July 12, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  44. ^ "Hong Kong Airlines places $3.8bn Airbus A380 order". BBC. BBC. January 7, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  45. ^ [1]"Hong Kong Air Seeks A380 Order Swap for Smaller Aircraft" (Press release). Bloomberg. December 5, 2012.
  46. ^ "Hong Kong Airlines Fleet Details and History". Planespotters.net. Planespotters.net. Retrieved Mar 22, 2013.
  47. ^ "Hong Kong Airlines to retire its last B737-800 in late April". ch-aviation. ch-aviation. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  48. ^ "Contact Us." Hong Kong Airlines. Retrieved on 16 May 2013. "Headquarters / Tung Chung Office Address: 7th Floor, One Citygate, 20 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau, Hong Kong" - Chinese address: "總公司 / 東涌辦事處 地址: 香港大嶼山東涌達東路20號東薈城一座7樓"
  49. ^ "Contact Us > Hong Kong." Hong Kong Airlines. Retrieved on 7 November 2011. "Headquarter Office Address: L2 CNAC House, 12 Tung Fai Road, Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau, Hong Kong"
  50. ^ "聯繫我們 > 香港辦事處." Hong Kong Airlines. Retrieved on 7 November 2011. "地址: 香港大嶼山香港國際機場東輝路12號中航大廈2樓"
  51. ^ "Fortune Wings Club". Fortune Wings Club. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
  52. ^ "Irate Chinese travellers hold airplane hostage". Retrieved 18 November 2011. [dead link‍]
  53. ^ "Hong Kong Airlines criticised over dolphin cargo". Retrieved 26 February 2012. [dead link‍]; Jiji Press, "Airline under fire for dolphin cargo", Japan Times, 27 February 2012, p. 3.
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