Letters to the Editor, May 24, 2014
I refer to the article by Edward Lau, CEO of Jetstar Hong Kong ("Budget break, May 13), which was self-serving and misrepresented the real situation.
Hong Kong does not lack choice. The problem is with quality, not quantity.
As a frequent traveller to Thailand, I always have a choice of more than 10 airlines, including low-cost ones, and have tried them all.
My experience tells me to expect the unexpected when travelling on low-cost airlines, for example, frequent flight cancellations without rebooking that leave you stranded at the airport, in-flight steward-esses not knowing even basic safety emergency procedures, charging excessive amounts for check-in baggage.
If you want a relatively hassle-free experience, better stick with the likes of Cathay or Emirates. I am not a loyal fan of either and would like their fares to go down a lot. However, they are among the few airlines left that are reliable and safe.
As a businessman, I also do not believe any low-cost model can work in a high-cost environment. Excessive competition drives down prices, margins and then quality. Ultimately the users suffer. Nothing comes for free.