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Daily Express
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Hong Kong Express Airway picks Sabah as its third Malaysian destination
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 Text Size: The daily flights will begin on Nov 27 2025, operating to and from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI). Kota Kinabalu: Hong Kong (HK) Express Airways is expanding its presence in Malaysia with the launch of a new direct route connecting Hong Kong to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The daily flights will begin on Nov 27 2025, operating to and from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI). Advertisement This marks the airline's third destination in Malaysia, following Penang and the soon-to-be-launched Kuala Lumpur (Subang) route. In a statement, HK Express CEO Jeanette Mao said Malaysia has emerged as one of Asia's most popular destinations, with tourist arrivals rising more than 20 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025. 'The easing of visa restrictions, especially for travellers from Mainland China, has made Malaysia the second-largest international tourist market. We're excited to add Kota Kinabalu to our growing Malaysian network, and remain committed to offering competitive fares and value-added services for travellers eager to explore this vibrant destination,' she said. The new route is expected to boost air connectivity between North Asia and East Malaysia while positioning Sabah as a key eco-tourism and adventure destination in the region. Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit welcomed the move, saying the direct link will open new opportunities for travellers to discover Sabah's natural beauty and unique culture. 'This is a significant milestone for Sabah. With seamless access via Hong Kong, one of the world's top aviation hubs, this new route will increase our global reach. We invite travellers to explore Sabah—from Kinabalu Park to Sipadan Island, and from orangutan sanctuaries to pristine beaches and stunning sunsets,' he said. He added that the state's tourism efforts are anchored in sustainability, with a focus on conservation, eco-adventures, and community engagement. To celebrate the launch, HK Express is offering one-way tickets starting from under HK$90 (Ultra Lite fare, includes one small personal item) across all its Malaysian routes: Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur (Subang), and Penang. The promotional booking period runs from 11am on July 14 to 11.45pm on July 17 2025 via the HK Express website and mobile app. The promotional fares are valid for travel to Kota Kinabalu from Nov 27 2025 until March 28 2026. For Kuala Lumpur (Subang), the applicable travel period is from August 1 2025 to March 28 2026. Meanwhile, travel to Penang is valid from July 22 2025 through to March 28 2026. Flight UO790 will depart Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) at 9.25pm and arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) at 12.30am the following day. Flight UO791 will depart Kota Kinabalu (BKI) at 1.30am and arrive in Hong Kong (HKG) at 4.45am. Both flights will operate daily. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
South China Morning Post
18-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Cathay budget carrier HK Express upbeat on growth despite Japan flight cuts
Cathay Pacific Airways' budget carrier, HK Express , expects passenger numbers to grow by up to 40 per cent this year despite feeling 'some impact' from cuts to summer flights to Japan as a result of Hongkongers avoiding the country over earthquake rumours, its boss has said. Advertisement HK Express CEO Jeanette Mao Jie-qiong said on Wednesday that flight adjustments to Japanese destinations coupled with the grounding of five aircraft this year because of engine problems had posed some challenges. Mao said the carrier had also suffered declining passenger yield, which gauges the average revenue generated per passenger and kilometre, as air fares were dropping following a normalisation process. 'There will be some minor adjustments to Tokyo and Osaka in July and August as people have been affected by rumours of a possible earthquake there during summer,' she said. 'Some flights to these two destinations will be combined so there will be an overall reduction. Advertisement 'There will be some impact on our bookings and flight performance. Coupled with the grounding of five aircraft due to their Pratt & Whitney-made engine problems, these issues will affect our performance this year. 'But we believe this impact is only short term as we're full of confidence in the future prospects of the Japan market … After all, the country is a second home for Hongkongers.'
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Business Standard
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
HK Express airfares fall amid rising competition, aircraft issues: CEO
An accelerating fall in the price of air tickets from recent high levels is the biggest challenge at Cathay Pacific's budget arm HK Express, its CEO said, as competition rises after a third runway opened at Hong Kong's airport. Many airlines, including HK Express and its low-cost rivals, are capitalising on the third runway that opened in November to add more flights, CEO Jeanette Mao told reporters on the sidelines of the IATA annual meeting in New Delhi. HK Express was the world's fastest-growing airline last year, with flight frequencies up 46 per cent from 2023 according to aviation data firm OAG, and it expects to grow by more than 30 per cent this year, according to Mao. "But of course such aggressive growth in the supply also added pressure on the yield side," she said. HK Express annual yield, a proxy for airfares, fell 23 per cent year-on-year in 2024, mainly due to intense price competition on regional routes pushing airfares down. Yields at Cathay Pacific's full-service airline were down 12 per cent. Airfares in Asia are coming down from post-pandemic record highs as the region's airlines continue to restore seat capacity. Asia's air travel recovery has lagged the rest of the world due to China and Hong Kong being slower to return to international flying after COVID-19. Last year, capacity between Hong Kong and short-haul destinations surged by almost 40 per cent, so fares from Hong Kong to Southeast and Northeast Asia are under pressure, Mao said. Some Asian rivals with lower-cost home bases are using "fifth-freedom" rights, which have been allowed for many years in Hong Kong, to fly routes from the city to destinations outside the foreign airline's home country, directly competing with HK Express routes, Mao said. For example, Thai AirAsia in June launched a Bangkok-Hong Kong-Okinawa route. Another drag on HK Express has been the grounding of Airbus 320neo planes due to industry-wide issues with their Pratt & Whitney engines, Mao said. Half of the 10 A320neos in its fleet are still grounded, she said, adding there was not a definite timeline of when the issue can be resolved. The situation is improving but the airline needs more clarity from the engine manufacturer "to regain the confidence for our recovery aircraft reactivation", she said.
Business Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
HK Express airfares dragged down by rising competition out of Hong Kong, CEO says
[NEW DELHI] An accelerating fall in the price of air tickets from recent high levels is the biggest challenge at Cathay Pacific's budget arm HK Express, its CEO said, as competition rises after a third runway opened at Hong Kong's airport. Many airlines, including HK Express and its low-cost rivals, are capitalising on the third runway that opened in November to add more flights, CEO Jeanette Mao told reporters on the sidelines of the Iata annual meeting in New Delhi. HK Express was the world's fastest-growing airline last year, with flight frequencies up 46 per cent from 2023 according to aviation data firm OAG, and it expects to grow by more than 30 per cent this year, according to Mao. 'But of course, such aggressive growth in the supply also added pressure on the yield side,' she said. HK Express annual yield, a proxy for airfares, fell 23 per cent year on year in 2024, mainly due to intense price competition on regional routes pushing airfares down. Yields at Cathay Pacific's full-service airline were down 12 per cent. Airfares in Asia are coming down from post-pandemic record highs as the region's airlines continue to restore seat capacity. Asia's air travel recovery has lagged behind the rest of the world due to China and Hong Kong being slower to return to international flying after Covid-19. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Last year, capacity between Hong Kong and short-haul destinations surged by almost 40 per cent, so fares from Hong Kong to South-east and Northeast Asia are under pressure, Mao said. Some Asian rivals with lower-cost home bases are using 'fifth-freedom' rights, which have been allowed for many years in Hong Kong, to fly routes from the city to destinations outside the foreign airline's home country, directly competing with HK Express routes, she said. For example, Thai AirAsia in June launched a Bangkok-Hong Kong-Okinawa route. Another drag on HK Express has been the grounding of Airbus 320neo planes due to industry-wide issues with their Pratt & Whitney engines, she added. Half of the 10 A320neos in its fleet are still grounded, the CEO said, adding there was not a definite timeline of when the issue can be resolved. The situation is improving but the airline needs more clarity from the engine manufacturer 'to regain the confidence for our recovery aircraft reactivation', she said. Pratt, owned by RTX, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. REUTERS
Reuters
03-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
HK Express airfares dragged down by rising competition out of Hong Kong, CEO says
NEW DELHI, June 3 (Reuters) - An accelerating fall in the price of air tickets from recent high levels is the biggest challenge at Cathay Pacific's ( opens new tab budget arm HK Express, its CEO said, as competition rises after a third runway opened at Hong Kong's airport. Many airlines, including HK Express and its low-cost rivals, are capitalising on the third runway that opened in November to add more flights, CEO Jeanette Mao told reporters on the sidelines of the IATA annual meeting in New Delhi. HK Express was the world's fastest-growing airline last year, with flight frequencies up 46% from 2023 according to aviation data firm OAG, and it expects to grow by more than 30% this year, according to Mao. "But of course such aggressive growth in the supply also added pressure on the yield side," she said. HK Express annual yield, a proxy for airfares, fell 23% year-on-year in 2024, mainly due to intense price competition on regional routes pushing airfares down. Yields at Cathay Pacific's full-service airline were down 12%. Airfares in Asia are coming down from post-pandemic record highs as the region's airlines continue to restore seat capacity. Asia's air travel recovery has lagged the rest of the world due to China and Hong Kong being slower to return to international flying after COVID-19. Last year, capacity between Hong Kong and short-haul destinations surged by almost 40%, so fares from Hong Kong to Southeast and Northeast Asia are under pressure, Mao said. Some Asian rivals with lower-cost home bases are using "fifth-freedom" rights, which have been allowed for many years in Hong Kong, to fly routes from the city to destinations outside the foreign airline's home country, directly competing with HK Express routes, Mao said. For example, Thai AirAsia in June launched a Bangkok-Hong Kong-Okinawa route. Another drag on HK Express has been the grounding of Airbus ( opens new tab 320neo planes due to industry-wide issues with their Pratt & Whitney engines, Mao said. Half of the 10 A320neos in its fleet are still grounded, she said, adding there was not a definite timeline of when the issue can be resolved. The situation is improving but the airline needs more clarity from the engine manufacturer "to regain the confidence for our recovery aircraft reactivation", she said. Pratt, owned by RTX (RTX.N), opens new tab, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
