Cathay budget carrier HK Express upbeat on growth despite Japan flight cuts

HK Express CEO Jeanette Mao Jie-qiong said on Wednesday that flight adjustments to Japanese destinations coupled with the grounding of five aircraft this year because of engine problems had posed some challenges.

Mao said the carrier had also suffered declining passenger yield, which gauges the average revenue generated per passenger and kilometre, as airfares were dropping following a normalisation process.

“There will be some minor adjustments to Tokyo and Osaka in July and August as people have been affected by rumours of a possible earthquake there during summer,” she said.

“Some flights to these two destinations will be combined so there will be an overall reduction.

“There will be some impact on our bookings and flight performance. Coupled with the grounding of five aircraft due to their Pratt & Whitney-made engine problems, these issues will affect our performance this year.