Virgin Australia permanently cancels Hong Kong routes amid coronavirus outbreak, anti-government protests

The company will cease its Melbourne-Hong Kong service – previously suspended in November – on February 11, and the Sydney-Hong Kong route on March 2

The company cited ‘decline in demand following ongoing civil unrest, and growing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak in the wider region’

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The performance of the route had declined following the anti-government protests and is expected to be further impacted by the growing uncertainty caused by the coronavirus crisis, the airline said. Photo: Sam Tsang

Su-Lin Tanin SingaporeandDanny Leein Hong Kong

Published: 10:21am, 6 Feb 2020Updated: 3:48pm, 6 Feb 2020

Virgin Australia has emerged as the first international airline to completely withdraw all its services between Australia and Hong Kong amid the coronavirus outbreak, citing that the route was no longer commercially viable.

The performance of the route had declined following the anti-government protests that began in June 2019, and is expected to be further impacted by the growing uncertainty caused by the coronavirus crisis, the airline said.

The company said it had undertaken a comprehensive review of the routes, and on Thursday confirmed it would halt service on the Sydney-Hong Kong route on March 2.

November, the airline proposed the suspension of the Melbourne-Hong Kong route due to financial losses, and on Thursday confirmed the last flight would take place on February 11.

“Hong Kong has continued to be a challenging market. With a decline in demand following ongoing civil unrest, and growing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak in the wider region, we have made the decision to withdraw services,” Virgin Australia Group chief commercial officer John MacLeod said.

“While the decision to withdraw from the Hong Kong market has been a difficult one, it demonstrates our strong focus on driving greater financial discipline through our network.

“Current circumstances demonstrate that Hong Kong is no longer a commercially viable route for Virgin Australia to continue operating, however international tourism remains an important part of our strategy through our other international routes and partner airlines.”