Hong Kong Airlines mulls C919s, returning to North America

The chairman of Hong Kong Airlines (HX, Hong Kong International) says the carrier is in talks with COMAC about acquiring C919s following 12 months of sustained fleet growth and a decision to resume long-haul international operations.

Chairman Yan Bo told Hong Kong-based media on November 21 that the airline was in "continuous communication and negotiation" with the Chinese manufacturer about the C919s. However, any purchase decisions would be based on what was best for the airline.

To date, only Chinese mainland carriers, specifically China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Air China, operate the C919. But COMAC has stepped up its marketing efforts this year, targeting carriers and countries around Asia as potential buyers of both its C919 and ARJ21-700 types.

Yan said that the aircraft order talks have followed a period of growth at the airline. Its fleet grew from 21 to 30 aircraft over 2024. Inductions and reactivations included the carrier's first A321-200 and multiple A330-300s (of which it currently operates ten) to support medium to long-haul routes. It says it will continue to expand its fleet size as needed.

Yan also announced the resumption of twice-weekly roundtrips to Vancouver International in mid-January 2025. Hong Kong Airlines last flew to the city in 2020. The airline is also returning to Gold Coast Coolangatta in January, albeit only on a seasonal basis.

"This strategic move signifies the airline’s transformation from a regional carrier into an international airline, with a focus on expanding its global route network amid the economic recovery,” he told the South China Morning Post. "Through strategic planning, the airline has demonstrated a strong recovery capability by optimising its route network and adjusting its fleet structure, which now covers more than 30 destinations."

Yan added that the carrier's flight operations are back to pre-pandemic levels, and services boast average load factors of around 85%. Hong Kong Airlines expects to carry approximately five million passengers in 2024.