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The big picture: Hong Kong Airlines launches London flights

8 Mar 2012 by ScottCarey7

Hong Kong Airlines' all Club-class A330-200 landed at Gatwick airport this morning (March 8) for the first time, coming in half an hour ahead of schedule, at 0530. The return flight HX876 will depart London Gatwick at 2130 this evening.

Hong Kong Airlines president Yang Jian led the incoming delegation and stated: “The latest addition to the Hong Kong Airlines network highlights our commitment to the UK market.”

Stewart Wingate, chief executive at Gatwick Airport said: “This is a unique service which provides a real choice to business and premium leisure traffic to one of the world’s great cities, with excellent connections to other points in Asia. We are committed to matching the superior service Hong Kong Airlines will be offering their passengers on board with a premium service at the airport.”

This follows news that customer facing staff at the airport are being coached by the head of concierge at five-star London hotel, The Goring (see online news February 23).

Speaking on the morning of the inaugural flight Guy Stephenson, commercial director for Gatwick stated that that the airport is continuing to look east as it looks to develop its route network. “This is not a one route wonder,” says Stephenson, “in the last 18 months the majority of world growth has been coming from the east, so naturally we are focusing on these immediate opportunities.”

When asked if Gatwick would like to improve its transatlantic route options, such as to New York, Stephenson believes that there is a preconception in North America that Heathrow is the choice London airport. “We are not giving up on this region but it is a much more difficult market to penetrate, therefore we are looking east,” says Stephenson. 

This pre-conception has been further cemented by Delta’s recent decision to move its Gatwick-Atlanta service to Heathrow, leaving the carrier without a Gatwick route for the first time in years (see online news February 23).

As reported earlier (see online news November 10, 2011) the daily service will depart Gatwick at 2130 and will be served by an all-Club class A330 aircraft. The onboard menu will be overseen by Michelin starred chef Jason Atherton (see online news February 3). To see a seat plan of the aircraft click here.

UK General Manager for Hong Kong Airlines Gerard Clarke says that he is happy with the current state of bookings on the route and that, “We had just fewer than 80 this morning [on the inaugural flight] and have bookings through the summer and beyond.”

Return fares from London Gatwick cost from £1,800 for Club Class; and £2,850 for Club Premier.

For more information visit hongkongairlines.com

Report by Scott Carey

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