British Airways will be running just one daily flight to Hong Kong from this autumn
British Airways is to cut its Hong Kong service by half as it seeks to slash soaring costs due to Russian airspace restrictions. This will leave the UK carrier operating just one direct flight a day with Hong Kong.
A spokesperson for British Airways said the “temporary” flight reduction would begin on October 27 and may last until summer 2025, but would remain under review. The airline could offer no guarantee when the twice-daily service would be up and running again.
Flights between Europe and Hong Kong have been hit by Russian airspace restrictions with airlines forced to take lengthier, more costly routes. Virgin dropped its Hong Kong service and closed its Hong Kong office in the autumn of 2022 citing “route technicalities”. It said that airspace restrictions had added at least an hour to outgoing flights from London Heathrow and up to two hours for return flights. Longer flights add cost through both fuel and staffing.
Of the two British Airways routes currently in operation the carrier says it will be pulling its Boeing 777 aircraft, leaving its 787 Dreamliner in the air.
British Airways and Cathay Pacific are currently the only two airlines flying direct between London and Hong Kong. British Airways says it is contacting affected passengers to offer a new flight or a refund.
Meanwhile, Virgin will be withdrawing its London to Shanghai service from October 25, a move also being blamed on increased flight times.
Qantas ends its Sydney to Shanghai route later this month, leaving Hong Kong as the only Chinese city served by a non-stop flight from the Australian city.
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