Hong Kong Airlines flies to the Gold Coast of Australia bringing a popular travel choice during the Chinese New Year

Asian Aussie Business | Hong Kong Airlines celebrated the maiden flight between Hong Kong and Australia’s Gold Coast, commemorating the airline’s return as the first local carrier to reintroduce this widely anticipated route after several years.

The service will operate seasonally from January 17 to February 15, 2025, with four flights per week for four weeks, including the Chinese Lunar New Year break. The trip is served by an A330 wide-body aircraft with both business and economy class capacity.

To mark the relaunch, a ceremony was held at the boarding gate before the inaugural aircraft took off. Mr Jeff Sun, President of Hong Kong Airlines, representatives from Gold Coast and Queensland Airports, and top members from the Airport Authority Hong Kong all attended the event, chatted with customers, and gave out bespoke presents to share the excitement.

The first flight to the Gold Coast, HX015, arrived at the airport at 8:55 a.m. local time. Gold Coast Airport welcomes passengers with a vibrant traditional lion dance performance.

Mr Yan Bo, Chairman of Hong Kong Airlines, commented, “We are delighted to have a full flight of passengers on our first voyage, with approximately 300 travellers coming to experience Queensland’s warm climate and exciting tourist activities.” We also look forward to welcome guests from the Gold Coast and Queensland to Hong Kong throughout our operating season, encouraging them to immerse themselves in the vibrant ambiance of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations and sample real Hong Kong food.”

Mr Sun, President and Captain of Hong Kong Airlines, joined the cockpit crew to pilot the first flight. He stated, “As one of Hong Kong’s leading full-service airlines, Hong Kong Airlines is committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive services, including flexible baggage allowance options, complimentary inflight meals, and comfortable seats, to ensure that every passenger can enjoy a pleasant journey.”

Ms Amelia Evans, CEO of Queensland Airports Limited, stated, “We’re delighted to welcome Hong Kong Airlines’ guests to our beautiful city of Gold Coast and can’t wait for them to experience the best of an Australian summer across the region.” We anticipate that this collaboration with Hong Kong will pave the way for longer-term services in our major markets of Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and China.”

Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said, “This influx from Hong Kong over the Lunar New Year period is an exciting opportunity for the Gold Coast, supporting local jobs and the economy.”

Ollie Philpot from Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) assisted in marking the milestone arrival. He said: “TEQ has worked closely with Hong Kong Airlines and partners including Experience Gold Coast to put the Gold Coast up in lights in Hong Kong and Mainland China to drive demand for these flights and the destination.”

Acting Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates praised the restoration of this vital service after six years and its good impact on the region.

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn stated that the return of Hong Kong Airlines’ flights is a huge step forward for the Gold Coast’s tourism industry.

“China is a hugely important source market for the Gold Coast, so we are thrilled to see Hong Kong Airlines’ services lift off again,”

The reopening of the Gold Coast route signals Hong Kong Airlines’ return to the long-haul market. The company is gradually extending its fleet to accommodate a staged network expansion, which might include additional routes within Australia as well as a return to the North American market. Beyond Vancouver, the airline is actively examining the prospect of increasing services to Los Angeles, Seattle, and Toronto to provide passengers with a broader range of international travel options.

Hong Kong Airlines’ flight schedule* between Hong Kong and the Gold Coast is as follows (all times local).

About Hong Kong Airlines.

Hong Kong Airlines, founded in 2006, is a full-service airline headquartered in Hong Kong. The airline operates to 30 destinations in Asia Pacific and currently has interline and codeshare agreements with several airline partners and ferry service providers. Hong Kong Airlines has an all-Airbus fleet. Since 2011, it has received Skytrax’s internationally acclaimed four-star rating. For additional information, please visit www.hongkongairlines.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Source: Hong Kong Airlines.