Hong Kong Airlines (HX, Hong Kong International) is reviewing its network and has not ruled out axing all long-haul operations, The South China Morning Post has reported.
Director (Corporate Governance and Development) Ricky Chong Wai-ki said that the review was at an early stage and that besides network issues, it would also include the ailing carrier's fleet strategy. He added that there was no strict timeline for a decision.
"Our North American flights will be our short-term focus that we need to consolidate. We can’t simply cut long-haul flights without touching the regional short-haul flights," Chong said.
He claimed that the cuts had been considered as a result of the overall global economic situation rather than the carrier's own unique problems. Loss-making Hong Kong Airlines' shareholders, among which is HNA Group, are currently in the midst of a battle for control of the airline.
According to the ch-aviation capacities module, Hong Kong Airlines' intercontinental network currently includes daily services from Hong Kong International to Los Angeles International, San Francisco, and Vancouver International. All three North American routes are served with A350-900 equipment. The carrier also operates long-haul continental services to Malé (2x weekly) using an A330-300.
Hong Kong Airlines' widebody fleet consists of eleven A330-200s, eleven -300s, and six A350-900s, although the aircraft are predominantly used on regional Asian routes.
The carrier said it was planning to add four more leased A320-200s by the end of 2019, although it is unclear whether they will be new-build or second-hand units. Currently, Hong Kong Airlines operates eleven A320-200s, the ch-aviation fleets module shows. The airline does not have any other narrowbody aircraft.
