In a move considered by many as a sign of Beijing's growing hold on aviation in Hong Kong, a mainland Chinese airline has been allowed for the first time to launch a direct service between the UK colony and London.
The inauguration of Air China's new Beijing-Hong Kong-London service comes only two months before the territory reverts to Chinese sovereignty on 1 July. The airline is offering air fares to London of almost half that being charged by Hong Kong's de facto flag carrier, Cathay Pacific Airways.
Air China's new service is limited to one flight a week, but observers suggest that this will almost certainly increase, particularly after Hong Kong's handover. "Other Chinese airlines are all going to throw in applications for these fifth-freedom types of services from Hong Kong," says Trinity Aviation consultant Steve Miller.
While the Hong Kong Special Administrative Government will have autonomy over local air services after 1 July, many see the real power ultimately resting with the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Critics argue that this will favour carriers owned or controlled by the Chinese authority.
Air China's new Hong Kong-London rights are understood to be linked to a 1996 agreement giving Dragonair long-awaited new destinations in China, and Cathay Pacific new overflight rights, reducing travel time to Europe.
Source: Flight International
