Tourexpi
Hong Kong Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight to Sydney
The
new connection enhances travel options for business, leisure, and transit
passengers between two of the Asia-Pacific region’s major economic hubs.
The
first flight, HX017, departed from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and
landed in Sydney (SYD) this morning to a traditional water cannon salute and a
warm welcome ceremony. Celebratory events were held at both departure and
arrival airports, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony at SYD.
At
the HKIA boarding gate, distinguished guests attended the launch event,
including Mr Jeff Sun, President of Hong Kong Airlines; Mr Ian McGraw,
Australian Consulate-General; and representatives from Tourism Australia, Destination
NSW, and the Airport Authority Hong Kong. Passengers received commemorative
gifts marking the occasion.
“This
new route represents a major step in our journey toward becoming a truly
international airline,” said Mr Jeff Sun. “Sydney is not only a beloved
destination but a key economic center in Australia. Operating with our Airbus
A330 aircraft, we aim to offer a premium travel experience, featuring attentive
service, fine dining, and comfortable cabins in both Business and Economy.”
Sydney
Airport CEO Scott Charlton welcomed the new addition: “We are proud to add Hong
Kong Airlines as our 52nd airline partner. This inaugural flight follows the
first expansion of bilateral air rights between Australia and Hong Kong in
nearly two decades—a milestone enabled by the support of the Australian
Government.”
NSW
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper highlighted the route’s economic
impact: “This service strengthens our goal to boost NSW's aviation capacity by
8.5 million seats. Hong Kong is a key inbound market and this connection will
help drive our visitor economy.”
Mr
Wang Yu, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney, called the
launch “a fresh impulse for cultural and economic ties between China and
Australia,” emphasizing its role in expanding people-to-people exchanges and
global connectivity.
Lounge
Perks for Connecting Passengers
To
celebrate the launch, passengers transiting in Hong Kong between June 20 and
October 31, 2025, on selected Hong Kong Airlines long-haul flights (including
Vancouver, Bali, Tokyo, and others) will enjoy complimentary access to the
airline’s flagship lounge Club Autus at HKIA.
Growing
Global Network
The
new Sydney route is part of Hong Kong Airlines’ broader expansion strategy in
2025. Other recent route developments include Vancouver, Gold Coast, and Hulunbuir,
alongside increased frequencies to Maldives, Da Nang, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing—providing
greater flexibility and travel options across Asia-Pacific.
An
additional new international service is set to launch in July 2025, further
expanding the airline’s footprint.
Flight
Schedule (All times local):
|
Route |
Flight
No. |
Departure |
Arrival |
Frequency |
|
HKG–SYD |
HX017 |
22:25 |
09:50+1 |
Daily |
|
SYD–HKG |
HX018 |
11:30 |
19:10 |
Daily |
Note:
Flight schedule subject to change without prior notice.
Image
Credit: © Hong Kong Airlines
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