New route launched as Australians flock back to former Asian favourite

Australians bounced back to international travel with a vengeance following the reopening of borders after the pandemic, but there were a handful of destinations we did not rush back to.

One was the United States, thanks to more expensive flights, a strong US dollar and, most recently, the actions of President Donald Trump.

The number of Australians visiting Hong Kong has surged.Credit: iStock

Another was Hong Kong, where the decline in visitors began before COVID amid political unrest following China’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

However, the signs show that Australians are returning to the harbour city. The number of visitors heading there has surged recently – up about 40 per cent year-on-year for the past three months.

The number of visitors heading to Australia from Hong Kong has also increased. The number of Hong Kong residents heading here in April rose more than 70 per cent on the same time last year, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.

Hong Kong Airlines will fly an Airbus A330-300 on its new Sydney route.Credit: iStock

The trends explain why Hong Kong Airlines has decided to launch another route into Australia, which started from Sydney on Saturday.

It’s the second Australian route for the airline after it resumed Hong Kong-Gold Coast flights in January (it suspended the route in 2018). The Australian government recently reached a new bilateral air agreement with Hong Kong, allowing for increased traffic between the two destinations.

The new daily flights will increase capacity by 20 per cent and cement the destination as the third-busiest international route from Sydney, behind Singapore and Auckland.

Passengers will fly on an Airbus A330-300 with two classes, business and economy. Business class passengers will enjoy meals from a menu created in collaboration with Michelin-recommended Hong Kong restaurant Ming Court, along with lie-flat seats with direct aisle access.

Business class on board.

Business passengers can also enjoy the airline’s Club Autus lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. As part of the launch, transiting economy class passengers will also be given free lounge access in Hong Kong. The offer is open for travel until October 31 on several connecting routes, including Tokyo, Osaka and Vancouver.

While Hong Kong Airlines is not part of any major global airline alliance, it has an interline agreement with Virgin Australia, allowing domestic connections in Australia. Virgin Velocity members can also earn points on eligible Hong Kong Airways flights.

Hong Kong Airlines rival Cathay Pacific recently launched its new, much-hyped Aria business class suites on its Sydney-Hong Kong route.

The writer flew as a guest of Hong Kong Airlines.