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Danny Lee

Budget airline HK Express has pledged to funnel the potential fuel savings from its new, eco-friendly aircraft into providing cheaper airfares.
Hong Kong’s fourth biggest airline on Monday took delivery of the first of 12 fuel efficient Airbus A320neos. It will be the first carrier to operate the aircraft with 188 seats – narrowly more than AirAsia, which in September took delivery of its first 186-seat A320neo.
According to Airbus, the aircraft has an additional 500 nautical mile range and will use 20 per cent less fuel per seat by 2020, compared to current engine option aircraft.
Chinese airline earnings to begin descent next year, analysts say
HK Express commercial director Luke Lovegrove committed the projected fuel savings to providing lower airfares and carrying additional passengers.
“The lower fuel cost will result in a direct saving on fares and additional eight passengers that we will be able carry on board – so it’s a fantastic aircraft for us,” he said.

Andrew Cowen, the company’s director and CEO, said the A320neo was just one example of how the carrier was working more efficiently, particularly with the facilities at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
But the airline aimed to do more than just improve efficiency.
HK Express in May became first local carrier to ban the air shipment of shark fin.
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Partnering with the Hong Kong Shark Foundation and to promote its message of “say no to shark fin”, the company on Monday christened the new A320neo as “Shark”.
The company confirmed all new aircraft would take on an environmental theme aimed at raising awareness for the city’s endangered species. One of the new deliveries is expected to be named after the Chinese white dolphin, whose future is under threat from the expansion of the airport itself.
“We are going to essentially follow an environmental theme in the naming of aircraft, to bring attention to the causes that like of the Shark Foundation. We’ve got a unique opportunity to be able to use the side of the aeroplane as a platform to go bit further to extend our support,” Cowen said.
Apple Chow Yuen-ping, executive director of the Shark Foundation, welcomed the airline’s announcement.
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“It’s a very important message to send to the world, not only Hong Kong. And tell the international community that Hong Kong cares about sharks, especially considering the city’s role in the global trade of sharks fin,” Chow said.
Separately, the company said it expected issues in the HKIA’s new air traffic control system would be smoothed out, and it had planned the delivery of new aircraft for 2017 in preparation for the airport’s expansion and new take-off and landing slots.
“The anticipation is that the new air traffic control system will allow the airport to be more efficient with the deployment of take-off and landing slots, so the timing couldn’t be better,” Lovegrove said.


HK Express commits fuel savings to cheaper fares as it unveils new eco-friendly aircraft

HK Express’ A320neo, named Shark, will seat 188 passengers. Photo: David Wong

Media Preview of HK Express’s first A320neo, named Shark, inside the hangar at the China Aircraft Services Limited (CASL) at the Hong Kong International Airport. 12DEC16 SCMP/ David Wong

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Hong Kong

Hong Kong Economy

Local budget carrier takes delivery of first Airbus A320neo, which promises to fly further and use 20 per cent less fuel by 2020


HK Express commits fuel savings to cheaper fares as it unveils new eco-friendly aircraft

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Local budget carrier takes delivery of first Airbus A320neo, which promises to fly further and use 20 per cent less fuel by 2020

Local budget carrier takes delivery of first Airbus A320neo, which promises to fly further and use 20 per cent less fuel by 2020