Hong Kong Airlines

2001–2006: Early years

Robert Yip (Chinese: 葉光), the chairman of China Rich Holdings, established CR Airways in Hong Kong on 28 March 2001. The airline received its air operator's certificate (AOC) from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) in 2002, with its first aircraft a Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopter, which could carry 12 passengers and fly at 285 kilometres per hour (177 mph). It was Hong Kong's third commercial helicopter operator and the first helicopter operator to receive an AOC since Hong Kong became a special administrative region of China.

On 27 June 2003, CR Airways became Hong Kong's third passenger airline after receiving a revised AOC from the director-general of Civil Aviation. It operated its first passenger service the next day. It started passenger charter operations to Laoag, Philippines on 5 July 2003, with a Bombardier CRJ200 leased from GE Capital Aviation Services. In September 2003, the airline applied for traffic rights to operate scheduled passenger services to Laoag and the Chinese cities of Jinan, Naning, Meixian and Wenzhou. In addition, Yip sold 40% of the airline to his company, China Rich Holdings, for HK$180 million. By March 2004, the airline had added Siem Reap, Cambodia to its charter network.

In April 2005, the Hong Kong Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) granted a five-year licence to transport passengers, cargo, and mail to China; the airline was free to apply for traffic rights to 10 cities in China. Then in July, the airline announced the imminent purchase of two Bombardier CRJ700s from Danish carrier Maersk Air. At the end of the year, a memorandum of understanding with Boeing for the purchase of 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 Boeing 737-800s for US$3.28 billion took the business to the next level. Some of the aircraft were from a prior Hainan Airlines order.

2006–2010: Change of ownership and fleet expansion

On 27 June 2006, Hainan Airlines secured a 45% holding in the airline by purchase of convertible notes held by Yu Ming Investments, which was to be injected into its new airline holding company, Grand China Air. Two months later, Mung Kin-keung (蒙建強) acquired the remaining 55% of the airline and became the controlling shareholder on 7 August and its director on 13 August. Mung's previous main business interest had been a 30% holding in a restaurant operator, Banana Leaf (Asia Pacific) Catering Group Company Ltd.

On 22 September 2006, CR Airways Ltd officially changed its name to Hong Kong Airlines Ltd, with a launch ceremony on 28 November 2006. The airline also introduced a new logo, which represents a bauhinia flower, the symbol of Hong Kong where the airline is anchored. The airline made the biggest aircraft order in its young history on 21 June 2007, ordering 51 narrow- and wide-body aircraft from European plane maker, Airbus, at an estimated value of US$5.6 billion. The airline's IATA code was changed from N8 to HX on 27 May 2007.

On 24 October 2008, in preparation for the arrival of the Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft, the airline announced plans to adjust personnel and fleet composition. The new aircraft was to provide medium-haul passenger and cargo services to the Middle East and Australia.

2010–2012: Growth and expansion

On 8 June 2010, Hong Kong Airlines completed their flight certification from Hong Kong to Beijing, earning an air operator's certificate for the Airbus A330 operations from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department. Scheduled flights to Moscow were launched later that month.

In September 2010, the airline introduced its first Airbus A330F cargo freighter, on a route from Hong Kong to Hangzhou. It officially joined the IATA the next month.

In 2011, Hong Kong Airlines' passenger traffic exceeded one million, serving 19 destinations.

On 8 March 2012, the airline launched daily flights from Hong Kong to London Gatwick Airport with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft. It operated as an all-Club Class service, featuring 34 "Club Premier" (business class lie-flat beds) and 82 "Club Classic" (cradle style recliner business class) seats. The service lasted only six months.

2012–2016: Repositioning

In 2013, Hong Kong Airlines concluded a system-wide strategy review to determine its priority routes for the immediate future with key focus areas on the Asia–Pacific region during this period. One new route was established when the Hong Kong–Maldives service was inaugurated. Total passenger traffic had reached over four million and the last of its Boeing aircraft were retired.

In 2014, Hong Kong Airlines launched new passenger routes between Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City, Tianjin and Kagoshima; they also increased daily flight frequency to Beijing and Shanghai. The airline's lounge service was relaunched as "Club Bauhinia" on 27 June 2014.

In February 2015, Hong Kong Airlines signed a sub-lease with the Airport Authority Hong Kong to develop a flight training center on a 0.6-hectare (1.5-acre) plot near the southeast perimeter of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).