Hong Kong Airlines has formally entered the Melbourne market, operating an Airbus A330 three times a week after a soft-launch in late December. The carrier becomes the Victorian capital’s 41st airline and the second Hong Kong-based operator to serve multiple Australian cities, alongside Cathay Pacific.(ftnnews.com)
The new route follows an expansion of bilateral air-traffic rights agreed last year between Hong Kong and Australia. Melbourne Airport’s Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos expects the service to inject “millions of dollars” into the local economy and provide exporters with belly-hold capacity for high-value goods such as fresh seafood and electronic components.(ftnnews.com)
![Hong Kong Airlines inaugurates thrice-weekly Melbourne service as Australia traffic rebounds]()
Travelers excited about these new flight options should also note that Australia maintains strict visa requirements. VisaHQ’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) can help passengers and corporates alike navigate eVisitor applications, passport validity rules and any transit paperwork, ensuring a smooth departure and arrival experience.
For Hong Kong corporates, the flight offers additional seat inventory during the March–April trade-fair season and diversifies routings should Sydney or Brisbane experience weather-related disruptions. Travel buyers report introductory round-trip fares from HK$4,200 in economy—20 % below the market leader—helping to cap airfare inflation on the Hong Kong–Australia corridor.(ftnnews.com)
The Melbourne launch caps a burst of new-destination announcements by the Cathay Group, which aims to reach 100 passenger ports worldwide this year. Competitor Qantas is likely to respond by up-gauging aircraft on its existing Hong Kong flights, signalling a continuing capacity race that benefits travellers with more frequency and price competition.(ftnnews.com)
The new route follows an expansion of bilateral air-traffic rights agreed last year between Hong Kong and Australia. Melbourne Airport’s Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos expects the service to inject “millions of dollars” into the local economy and provide exporters with belly-hold capacity for high-value goods such as fresh seafood and electronic components.(ftnnews.com)
Travelers excited about these new flight options should also note that Australia maintains strict visa requirements. VisaHQ’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) can help passengers and corporates alike navigate eVisitor applications, passport validity rules and any transit paperwork, ensuring a smooth departure and arrival experience.
For Hong Kong corporates, the flight offers additional seat inventory during the March–April trade-fair season and diversifies routings should Sydney or Brisbane experience weather-related disruptions. Travel buyers report introductory round-trip fares from HK$4,200 in economy—20 % below the market leader—helping to cap airfare inflation on the Hong Kong–Australia corridor.(ftnnews.com)
The Melbourne launch caps a burst of new-destination announcements by the Cathay Group, which aims to reach 100 passenger ports worldwide this year. Competitor Qantas is likely to respond by up-gauging aircraft on its existing Hong Kong flights, signalling a continuing capacity race that benefits travellers with more frequency and price competition.(ftnnews.com)
