As the world slowly lifts restrictions on travel, these are the airlines that have resumed operation at Hong Kong International Airport
From its emergence in December 2019, Covid-19 quickly spread across the globe, causing counties around the world to shut down. One major industry that has taken the hit is travel, which has largely been halted in order for countries to reduce imported cases and keep the outbreak under control.
The number of people travelling in and out of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) dropped to just 32,000 in April, indicating that traffic was down by 99.5 per cent compared to April 2019. Air traffic statistics posted by the airport also show that HKIA saw just 9,445 flights in April, a year-on-year decrease of 73.5 per cent.
However, as we move into summer, a number of countries are beginning to ease restrictions, with many airlines resuming and increasing popular international routes. Although all arrivals to Hong Kong have to still undergo a mandatory 14 day quarantine – and only those with a HKID are currently granted entry – travel is beginning to increase in and out of the city’s hub.
From 15 June, passengers are also able to use HKIA for transit/transfer on flights operated by different airlines under the same air ticket, provided that the passengers have checked through at the origin port with their boarding passes printed and baggage tagged-through to the final destination.
If you’re curious to see which popular routes are being reinstated and which countries are allowing international visitors, read on to find out which carriers are embarking and disembarking in Hong Kong.
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Cathay Pacific
As Hong Kong's flagship airline carrier, Cathay Pacific has continued flying in and out of the city throughout the pandemic – if at a very reduced rate. The airline has previously stated that it expects to operate approximately 3.5 per cent capacity in June and 9.4 per cent in July.
“Though there have been some small positive signs, such as the ban on transit traffic through Hong Kong International Airport beginning to ease, the future remains very uncertain,” chief customer and commercial officer Ronald Lam said.
One June 19, the airline announced that it would be resuming a number of flights and routes, increasing their flying capacity from 3 per cent to 5 per cent between June 21 and June 30 – operating five flights per week from Hong Kong to London (Heathrow), Los Angeles, Vancouver, Sydney; three flights per week to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, San Francisco, Melbourne, Mumbai and Delhi; and daily flights to Tokyo (Narita), Osaka, Seoul, Taipei, Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore.
You can find further information on Hong Kong's current travel restrictions and the protocols put in place for health and safety by Cathay Pacific here.
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