The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has impounded seven aircraft of Hong Kong Airlines (HX, Hong Kong International) that had been standing idle at Hong Kong International Airport, as it is a major creditor moving to protect its financial interests, the South China Morning Post reported.
In a statement on December 16, the AAHK confirmed it had invoked section 40 of Hong Kong's Airport Authority Ordinance to take control of the aircraft, which had reportedly not been used for passenger operations for between 56 to 318 days as of December 15 due to the carrier's steadily shrinking capacity.
However, the beleaguered carrier insisted its operations remained normal.
“Due to network consolidation, some of our aircraft have not been scheduled for operation and are currently suspended from service under the Airport Authority’s arrangement. Our current operation remains normal,” a Hong Kong Airlines spokeswoman said.
According to the South China Morning Post, most of the aircraft affected are either owned by the airline or leased from Hong Kong International Aviation Leasing which, like the airline, is a subsidiary of mainland China’s HNA Group.
“The AAHK’s detention action will help protect the financial interests of both the AAHK and the government,” Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department (CAD) said in response to the action.
The impounded aircraft had allegedly been racking up fees owed to the authority, which charges carriers between HKD94 Hong Kong dollars (USD12.07) and HKD147 (USD18.87) for every 15 minutes that an aircraft is on the ground.
According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Hong Kong Airlines currently operates twelve A320-200s (two of which are currently inactive), eleven A330-200 (five inactive), thirteen A330-300s (three inactive), and six A350-900s (three inactive). Of the lot, five A330-200s and five A330-300s are leased from Hong Kong International Aviation Leasing.
