Airlines in Hong Kong extend cuts to passenger capacity into spring 2020, with air travel downturn to continue even if protests wane
- Carriers slash capacity on commercial flights in first quarter of next year, which could mean millions fewer seats
- Reduced availability on flights to run deep into 2020 even if anti-government unrest eases off in the new year
The air industry’s woes in Hong Kong look set to continue even if the protests subside as new data shows fresh cuts to passenger capacity in the first quarter of 2020.
Most airlines in the city have already pared back their flight schedules for as late as March, the figures from the Air International Air Transport Association (IATA) reveal, which could amount to millions of fewer seats going on sale.
Hong Kong received 2.3 million fewer passengers between August and October compared with the same period last year. Tourist arrivals in October alone plunged 43.7 per cent.
The new data from IATA, obtained by the Post, shows there are 10 per cent fewer seats up for sale in November and December year over year, which is more than double the level of earlier cuts highlighted in late October.