Hong Kong civil aviation regulators have warned they may take action against HK Express (UO, Hong Kong International) after the budget carrier announced last week that it would cancel eighteen flights between Hong Kong and each of Osaka Kansai and Nagoya Chubu in Japan and Seoul Incheon in South Korea over the period October 1 to 8, affecting over 2,000 travellers.

The LCC's chief executive Andrew Cowen told the South China Morning Post this weekend the decision to cancel the services at short-notice came after the airline lost three key safety trainers and one training manager in August. Given the lack of skilled personnel, HK Express soon discovered there would be a shortage of about five to six backup crew members each day during the holidays thus forcing it to cancel the flights.

However, in a statement issued on Sunday, October 1, Hong Kong's Air Transport Licensing Authority said it had noted the cancellations and would “take necessary follow-up action on the matter”. It also demanded a report, explaining the disruptive cancellations, from the airline within a week. The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) has similarly ordered HK Express to explain itself.

HK Express has, in turn, said it is taking active steps to rectify the situation.

“We have taken immediate and proactive measures to address this concern and are doing our utmost to remedy the situation," a statement said.