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Hong Kong Airlines has touched down in Sydney, commencing a daily service to its home base.
The inaugural flight HX17 landed at Sydney Airport from Hong Kong on Saturday aboard the A330-300 B-LHL, with the full-service carrier expanding seat capacity on the Sydney-Hong Kong route – Sydney’s third busiest international destination after Singapore and Auckland – by 20 per cent.
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It comes after the Commonwealth government last year increased passenger capacity for Hong Kong to 84 flights per week, up from 70, with no limits on cargo services.
“This inaugural service comes on the back of the first expansion in bilateral air traffic rights between Australia and Hong Kong in 19 years and we thank the Albanese Federal Government for its role in enabling this important agreement, which reflects the strength of our longstanding cultural and economic ties,” Sydney Airport chief executive Scott Charlton said.
“Expanding traffic rights delivers far-reaching benefits – from greater choice and connectivity for passengers to stronger opportunities for tourism, trade and investment.
“A daily service like this is estimated to generate up to $120 million annually for the local economy, reinforcing the critical role aviation plays in driving prosperity across the region.”
Sydney and Hong Kong have been connected by air since 1949, and more than 850,000 passengers flew on the route last year.
Hong Kong Airlines currently flies to 30 Asia-Pacific destinations and more than 100 globally. Its president, Jeff Sun, said the new Sydney service “marks a significant step in our transformation from a regional to an international airline”.
“Sydney is not only a popular destination for leisure and business travel but also one of Australia’s most vital economic hubs. The expansion of the bilateral traffic rights agreement allows us to offer more choice to travellers in both cities, strengthening the connection between them,” he said.
“While Hong Kong Airlines may be a younger brand in the mature Australian market, we are endeavouring in our commitment to providing quality service.
“We operate this route with our Airbus A330 aircraft, featuring comfortable business and economy class cabins, and strive to deliver a passenger-centric in-flight experience through attentive service and fine dining for our long-haul customers.”
While Hong Kong Airlines flies seasonally to the Gold Coast, Sydney is its first route serving an Australian capital-city airport, and brings Australia’s largest international gateway to a new record high of 52 carriers.
The Sydney–Hong Kong route is also served by Qantas and Cathay Pacific.
