Hong Kong, 8 June 2018 Following significant year-on-year passenger growth in the first half of 2018, Hong Kong-based airline HK Express plans to introduce extra flights to cater to market demand during the busy summer season, including Taichung, Danang and Osaka-Kansai.
In coming months, the airline will also expand its footprint in Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and Mainland China, whilst consistently delivering a safe, reliable and high-quality travel experience.
In addition to the uptick in flight frequencies, the airline plans to introduce new initiatives to ensure guests’ summer vacations are carefree and enjoyable at every step of the trip. The newly-revamped services of U-Biz fare, for example, offers travellers added flexibility and value with a host of benefits—now with upgraded access to the “Club Bauhinia” lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, flexible booking cancellations, HKD25 to spend on inflight meals, priority check-in and boarding, priority baggage retrieval, free seat selection, and more.
The first half of 2018 has ushered in several major milestones for the Hong Kong-based airline. In February, the airline flew its 10 millionth passenger, and in April, the airline was awarded a Gold Award for “Best Global Recruitment Strategy” at the 2018 Asia Recruitment Awards.
As the official sponsor of the 42nd Hong Kong International Film Festival, HK Express has leveraged the opportunity to host a special movie screening for the high school students and to kick off its first aircraft livery design competition with 6 winning students shortlisted for joining the HK Express x Kagawa Prefecture’s cultural tour to Takamatsu for free.
In terms of performance, HK Express recorded impressive passenger numbers in the first five months of 2018, with 1.67 million passengers flown representing a 15% increase compared with the same period last year. By the end of 2018, the airline is on track to carry 4.5 million passengers in total, marking an estimated 18.1% increase compared with 2017.
Looking to the second half of the year, HK Express is preparing to share a new vision that will begin with the launch of a brand refresh campaign to support future business development strategies. Details of the campaign will be released at a later stage.
The airline also expects to expand operations and recruitment in the coming months. Given its rapid growth, the airline continuously reviews its manpower allocation and the expansion plan of its aircraft fleet. As the only low-cost carrier (LCC) based in Hong Kong, HK Express will continue to fully utilise its resources and efforts in optimising internal management and corporation efficiency.