If theHong Kong international airport was a major global hub with flights to destinations all over the world, the covid pandemic is decimating the hub. And loses its status as a global airport.
Hong Kong International welcomed 71.54 million passengers in 2019. In 2020, the hub still welcomed 8.8 million passengers. But 2021 looks like being a "Berezina". Over the 12 months from November 2020 to October 2021, passenger numbers reached 1.25 million.. Either a fall of 93.6% compared with 2020. And probably the worst airport performance in the world.
As the rules for entering Hong Kong continue to tighten, more and more airlines are temporarily throwing in the towel. While Cathay Pacific continues to reduce the number of its flights because of the three-week quarantine imposed on its pilots, British Airways announced at the end of November that it was suspending flights from London Heathrow due to the confinement of its pilots following a case of Covid. The company indicated, however, that the decision was temporary.
According to the British carrier's booking website, flights are scheduled again from 18 December. Its competitors, Cathay Pacific and Virgin Atlantic continue to connect Heathrow to Hong Kong.
Air France and the Lufthansa group pull out
Barely relaunched in November, the only weekly frequency operated by Air France between Paris CDG and Hong Kong is now suspended. According to information provided by the airline, Air France will cease services to the Chinese capital until 26 March.
The Lufthansa Group also suspended its flights to Hong Kong in December and January. The Group's three international companies - Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa and Swiss- do not offer non-stop flights from Europe. With the notable exception of a Lufthansa code-share flight on the Frankfurt-Hong Kong route operated by Cathay Pacific. Other ways of reaching the Chinese metropolis include a stopover in Bangkok.
Note that the company SAS Scandinavian Airlines has decided to suspend its historic Copenhagen-Hong Kong route from March 2020. With no prospect of recovery...
Alternations
On departure from Europe, while Air France has suspended its only weekly flight, the same cannot be said for KLM. Lhe Dutch carrier continues to operate flights with a stopover in Bangkok where its flight crews can stop over without the mortifying quarantine imposed in the semi-autonomous territory. Until 6 January, KLM offers two to three weekly flights including the stopover in Bangkok. From mid-January, the service will be increased to five flights a week.
One of the most consistent companies on the Hong Kong remains the Finnish Finnair. Flights take place every day except on Friday on the outbound leg and Saturday on the return leg with a two-class A350-900. The airline flies with a double crew who take over for the return flight, avoiding the need for flight crews to remain in Hong Kong, explains the airline.
It should also be noted that Turkish Airlines offers four weekly flights via its Istanbul hub.
For the record, all passengers travelling to Hong Kong must undergo a 21-day quarantine as soon as they set foot on Chinese territory. Six tests are scheduled during this isolation period.
If a country is considered to carry the Omicron variant, passengers spend the first seven days in a quarantine centre at Penny Bay.It was like a prison, with daily tests. After seven days, he was finally able to return to the hotel he had booked to complete his quarantine. For the moment, only African countries are considered to transmit the Omicron variant..
