Hong Kong is not only a world financial centre, but also the gateway to the UK’s
second-largest market in Asia/Pacific. Leon Barber looks at how to get there Until Cathay Pacific launched its services in the mid-1980s, British Airways was the only carrier flying between London and Hong Kong. Today, four airlines contest the blue chip route, together providing 63 flights a week, a measure of how the former British colony has grown in stature for the UK’s business and leisure markets.
A world financial centre, with the second-largest stock market in Asia, Hong Kong has taken on an additional role since it was handed back to Beijing in 1997, evolving into the gateway to China and its awesome business potential. Opened in 1998 on the island of Chek Lap Kok, replacing the outdated Kai Tak airport in Kowloon, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has been a major contributor to mainland growth.
A primary hub for Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, plus smaller carriers such as Hong Kong Express and CR Airways, HKIA is one of the most accessible of gateways, with a simple layout and effective signage, augmented by moving walkways, an automated people mover, and a fully integrated ground transportation system.
Cathay Pacific offers the greatest frequency from London Heathrow to HKIA, its three flights a day increased to four in December 2005, while all four airlines on the route provide sleeper seats for premium passengers on the 9,618 km, 12-hour trip. Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operate a Premium Economy cabin to Hong Kong, and return Economy class fares lead in at around €600 ($740), spiralling up to €6,297 ($7,807) for a First Class seat on Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 747s and Airbus A340s.
It would be as well for the existing airlines to bank such sums. These will surely be forced to tumble when, and if, Oasis Hong Kong Airlines, which has been granted licences to operate to London, Berlin, Cologne, Milan, Oakland and Chicago, receives an air operator’s certificate from Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department. Planning to lease five Boeing 747s, with a five-year target of serving 15 destinations using a fleet of 25 aircraft, the carrier is considering a budget Business Class and aims to undercut the fares of rivals on the London to Hong Kong route by 40%-50%.
With an Economy round-trip priced from $128 (€103), Oasis could be unleashing the dogs of war in the Chinese Year of the Dog. Who offers what
| | Flts per wk | Terminal | Aircraft | Econ * | Premium * | Business * | First * | | British Airways | 21 | LHR1 | B747 | 31/79 | 38/96.5 | 73/185.5 | 78/198 | | Cathay Pacific | 28 | LHR3 | B747/ A340 | 32/82 | - | 60/153 | 79/202 | | Qantas | 7 | LHR4 | B747 | 31-32/79-82 | - | 60/153 | 60/153 | | Virgin Atlantic | 7 | LHR3 | A340-600 | 32/82 | 38/96.5 | 79.5/202 | - | 1, 2, 3 denotes Terminal
* Seat pitch (in/cm) What it costs | Economy
Euros/US$ | Premium Economy
Euros/US$ | Business
Euros/US$ | First
Euros/US$ | | British Airways | 645/798* | 1,471/1,820 | 3,468/4,298 | 5,790/7,163
| | Cathay Pacific | 763/947 | - | 4,586/5,687 | 6,297/7,807 | | Qantas | 598/738 | - | 3,454/4,265 | 5,775/7,130 | | Virgin Atlantic | 756/937 | 1,431/1,775 | 5,025/6,232 | - |
* Price comparison based on the same day of travel; cheapest non-flexible fares quoted
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