Budget airlines expand routes as airport capacity grows
發佈日期: 2025-06-19 00:24
TVB News
As Hong Kong International Airport prepares to open the new Terminal 2 in March to April next year at the earliest, boosting capacity to 120 million passengers annually, regional budget airlines are eyeing expansion.
Philippine low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air has resumed and expanded flights to Hong Kong over the past two years, now offering around 60 round trips weekly between Hong Kong and five cities in the Philippines, carrying more than 310,000 passengers this season, up 9 percent year-on-year.
Hong Kong-based budget airline HK Express said it remains committed to growing its route network, especially in Southeast Asia and the Greater Bay Area. It added it won't cancel its Japan routes.
Despite posting a 400 million-dollar loss last year, the airline said it is in a growth phase and will expand its fleet and routes. Four new Airbus A321neo aircraft will be added this year, and aircraft utilisation has already risen by double digits.
Cebu Pacfic Air Chairman Xander Lao: You take a look at all the capital city airports throughout the region, a lot of them are constrained and are unable to grow. So whether it's Manila or a place like Shanghai or place like Tokyo, it's very difficult for us to actually grow into some of these markets, given the slot and operating constraints. So Hong Kong does provide the opportunity for us to be able to expand operations here.
