Today, Hong Kong Airlines announced non-stop daily service between Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Vancouver International Airport / Aéroport international de Vancouver (YVR) starting on June 30, 2017. This year-round service marks the airline’s North American debut and will offer increased access from Vancouver to Hong Kong, a global hub for commerce, culture and cuisine.
“Hong Kong Airlines is a well-known, family-friendly airline based in a world class city, and we are thrilled to be able to offer the public even more options to travel between Vancouver and Hong Kong,” said Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “Every new airline that chooses to fly to YVR means more jobs for the local economy and creates new opportunities for British Columbians.”
Hong Kong Airlines (HX) will initially operate the route using an Airbus 330-200 with 283 seats. The airline operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with an average aircraft age of 4.1 years. The fleet consists of 34 aircraft which include nine Airbus 330-300, nine Airbus 330-200, 11 Airbus 320 and five cargo planes. Hong Kong Airlines has 15 next-generation Airbus 350-900s on order with the first delivery set for the third quarter of 2017.
Established in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines is a full-service airline based in Hong Kong. It has grown remarkably in just 10 years with a wide destination network covering 36 major cities across the Asia Pacific region, including Gold Coast, Auckland, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, Sapporo, Seoul, Bangkok, Bali and Okinawa. The Company has also signed codeshare agreements with 11 airlines and 69 interline partners. Hong Kong Airlines has been awarded the internationally acclaimed four-star rating from Skytrax since 2011. It was also the winner for Asia’s Leading Inflight Service in World Travel Awards 2015.
The new daily service will generate approximately 431 jobs in British Columbia both at the airport and in the tourism industry, $15.5 million in wages, $8.6 million in taxes and $24.4 million in Gross Domestic Product. The flight will also create more options for BC businesses to reach customers, suppliers and investors in Hong Kong, while also helping families travel home to see loved ones and create exciting connection possibilities for adventure and leisure travellers.