S V Choong 4 Report post Posted August 27, 2016 Took HX715 HKG-KCH earlier today and was pleasantly surprised that the flight was almost full. Most pax appears to be tour groups from HK. This is in contrary to the same flight I took in June, where tour groups from mainland China made up majority of the pax. Food is pretty decent too... So you have left HK for good? Bon Voyage mate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kenneth Chong WT 0 Report post Posted August 27, 2016 I don't think so...he's just home to fill up on kolo mee and laksa... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S V Choong 4 Report post Posted August 27, 2016 I don't think so...he's just home to fill up on kolo mee and laksa... :D That must be some serious craving he has!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted August 28, 2016 Took HX715 HKG-KCH earlier today and was pleasantly surprised that the flight was almost full. Most pax appears to be tour groups from HK. This is in contrary to the same flight I took in June, where tour groups from mainland China made up majority of the pax. Food is pretty decent too... So it is like a semi-charter flight... As long as there are tour groups using the service, they have a base load. So it is looking good - but what if the tours start to dry up? Will there still be enough pax to sustain the service? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kenneth Chong WT 0 Report post Posted August 28, 2016 (edited) Problem is there is hardly any advertising or promo seen at both ends. Passengers can actually connect to Europe and East Asia on HX and likewise if passengers are looking for a trip to Mulu...they have the option of flying HX via HKG....Unfortunately there is nothing...no banners...no promo...no social media...to advertise HX... Edited August 28, 2016 by Kenneth Chong WT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
H C Chai 4 Report post Posted August 28, 2016 (edited) Thanks SV! Kenneth, I'm leaving HK for good, contract ends this August... If the tours dries up, my guess is the route will go very soon. Saw it on the local paper today that the ministers are very happy with the load and reckoned the service will soon be expanded to 4x per week. Not quite sure how true is... I also haven't seen much promotion in HK so far. HX has been heavily promoting their recently launched Tokyo / Osaka service and the upcoming Gold Coast / Cairns / Auckland service... by comparison they're keeping the Kuching route very quiet. Edited August 28, 2016 by H C Chai Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S V Choong 4 Report post Posted August 29, 2016 Thanks SV! Kenneth, I'm leaving HK for good, contract ends this August... If the tours dries up, my guess is the route will go very soon. Saw it on the local paper today that the ministers are very happy with the load and reckoned the service will soon be expanded to 4x per week. Not quite sure how true is... I also haven't seen much promotion in HK so far. HX has been heavily promoting their recently launched Tokyo / Osaka service and the upcoming Gold Coast / Cairns / Auckland service... by comparison they're keeping the Kuching route very quiet. Same here, I have only seen their heavy promotions in HK on Gold Coast, Cairns, Auckland, Tokyo/ Osaka and Hanoi service. Not even a word about KCH. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike P 0 Report post Posted August 30, 2016 Same here, I have only seen their heavy promotions in HK on Gold Coast, Cairns, Auckland, Tokyo/ Osaka and Hanoi service. Not even a word about KCH. They did mention a bit on FB for Kuching. Like the cat museum, rainforest festival... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike P 0 Report post Posted December 18, 2016 While the frequency remains twice a week, HX has upgraded the aircraft to this route with wide body aircraf, using A330-300. The fare seems rather more expensive now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kenneth Chong WT 0 Report post Posted December 18, 2016 What? When? I was just on HX715 17 Dec... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prestley Shim 0 Report post Posted December 18, 2016 Wait what? When? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prestley Shim 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 Can anyone verify this? It hasn't even been a year since they started service here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S V Choong 4 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 As predicted by many here............ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
I. Wong 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 http://news.seehua.com/?p=243260 Can anyone verify this? It hasn't even been a year since they started service here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC Tam 2 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 This HNA Group gives the impression they are very quick in their decisions - anywhere not making money and it's bye bye I remember when they dropped HKG-BKI like a hot potato too ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 This HNA Group gives the impression they are very quick in their decisions - anywhere not making money and it's bye bye I remember when they dropped HKG-BKI like a hot potato too ! LCCs don't have the luxury of bleeding routes - they have to be ruthless and if a route does not perform, its gone! Since quite a number of airlines have failed to make KCH work, we should look at the reasons why. I offer a few here: Lack of tourist attractions in KCH and surrounding areas Poor infrastructure for travelling to places (e.g. Mulu Caves) outside KCH Lack of local support - KCH folks don't travel that much, either on business or for holidays International routes are not to destinations where there is good demand Poor tourist promotion of the state Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JuliusWong 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 In Borneo Post...http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/01/18/hong-kong-airlines-to-suspend-kuching-hong-kong-direct-flight-next-month/?platform=hootsuite Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike P 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 Again there was also claim that places lack of tourists arrival also due to lack of flights and hence lack of awareness, too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KK Lee 5 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 (edited) Sarawak is very rich in natural resources but the wealth is concentrated in tiny number of people. Hence, most have low disposable income and demand is not surprising poor like Brunei. Edited January 18, 2017 by KK Lee Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kenneth Chong WT 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 It exceeded my expectation of 3 months...well...at least I flew on them once...what a shame it did not work out... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jahur 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 Nothing much to visit in KCH to be honest. I have some friends from Oman and Finland when it comes to Malaysia they've heard of,Penang and even KK Sandakan heck they even flew to KK on MAS a couple of times on their sem breaks. Once they were interested for some cave exploring told them Sarawak has some but they said nothing much is close nearby compared to the other cities in Malaysia. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
H C Chai 4 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 What a shame, I guess there is just not enough demand from both sides to make the direct flight feasible. The fact that poor timing and lack of advertising from HX also didn't help... This is a stepback for STA... maybe they can approach Qatar Airways and ask them to fly Doha - Kuching direct with their A319LR? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prestley Shim 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 Exceeded my period of 6 months! I reckon there's not much use hoping for AK to pick up the pieces, is there? Lest they share the same fate some time down the road too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike P 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 Do we know what's the MoU between STB and HX? According to the report, it was supposed to be 3 years service minimum like a 3 years contract. So if the flight suspension is within the contract period, there will be penalty imposed? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kenneth Chong WT 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 (edited) Pssst...I heard some people in high places were too greedy in their demand from HX... Edited January 18, 2017 by Kenneth Chong WT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites