Hong Kong Airlines to end Gold Coast to Hong Kong flights in October

A MAJOR airline will cease flying to the Gold Coast in a move which civic leaders say is ‘disappointing’ and ‘jaw-dropping’. Find out when the last flight lands and how it affects bookings.

A MAJOR international airline will cease flying to the Gold Coast later this year in a move that has shocked city leaders.

Hong Kong Airlines will suspend its Gold Coast and Cairns services in October as a result of “its changing business strategy” in the Australian market.

The airline, which began flying to the Gold Coast in 2016, will make its final flight to the city on October 27. The last to leave the city bound for Hong Kong will depart on October 28.

A Hong Kong Airlines flight arrives at Gold Coast Airport - services will cease later this year. Picture Mike Batterham

Council events, tourism and governance committee chair Cr Bob La Castra was shocked at the announcement and said the move was “disappointing” and “jaw dropping”.

“It’s very disappointing to hear that and I am surprised because my understanding is that it has been quite a success,” he said.

“When you look at the numbers of Chinese visitors who are coming in and the work we are doing to build that relationship, we are kicking a lot of goals

“It is not only disappointing but strategically I think they have made a mistake.”

It comes just months after the Hong Kong Airlines announced it was stepping up the number of flights to the city.

In February the airline doubled is direct service with five extra trips, bringing around 10,000 people in around Chinese New Year.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones announced the service in July 2015 after a deal was struck to create a direct flight between the two.

Crowds coming off the plane after the first flight in 2016. Picture Mike Batterham

At the time she said the new flights would bring 5000 extra travellers to the city and generation $10 million for the state’s economy.

It began in March 2016 and as of May 2017 was performing well, with the airline’s marketing manager saying that flights were operating at 70 per cent capacity.

The airline announced it would offer alternative travel arrangements for those passengers who had already booked flights after the date the service ends.

The flights had been operating at 70 per cent capacity. Picture Mike Batterham

These include:

• Free change to any destination operated by Hong Kong Airlines for travel within two weeks of original departure date.

• Free change of travel date to Gold Coast and Cairns before 28 October 2018.

• Free transfer to Gold Coast and Cairns flights operated by Virgin Australia or Hainan Airlines with land transportation fees covered.

• Full refund to passengers who wish to cancel their trips.

Hong Kong Airlines will launch a new service with Virgin Australia on July 2 which will travel between Sydney and Hong Kong.

The flights will cease on October 27. Picture Mike Batterham