Originally Posted by
Carfield
I can see CX launching service to West Sydney, once it is opened, but not sure if OOL and CBR are in considerations anytime soon without the new A330-900s delivered. The new 339s can actually make these Australian secondary destinations economically feasible. I can see Cairns going back full time and Adelaide being restarted. Only then we can see possible new Australian destinations like Darwin, Gold Coast, and Canberra.
About Europe, they are most likely going to start Budapest because of Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese "one belt one road" initiative. Birmingham has been rumored for a long time but given CX has not even returned to Gatwick, it is not going to happen anytime soon.
Warsaw, Vienna and Lyons are "no" for now. Given Lufthansa has not even restarted its own Munich flight and I don't even think Austrian will restart Hong Kong flights. We have to understand that flights to Europe are so much longer now so airlines are more cautious in restarting any Asia to Europe flights. I am actually surprised that CX will start Munich and restart Brussels (before restarting Gatwick), but maybe CX just wants to take advantage of Lufthansa and Lufthansa Group's current situation with a lack of long haul aircraft. Barcelona and Rome are unsurprising because there is always high demand. For 2025, I think we are pretty much done. Hopefully once 777-9s and Airbus A330-900neo come online in 2026/27, CX can start a few interesting routes including a few ones noted here. I can see Copenhagen/Dublin/London Gatwick coming back and maybe Birmingham service can finally start.
Carfield
I think the CX flights to MUC means LH won't be returning from MUC. They can just put their code on the MUC flight and let CX assume the risk. I wouldn't be surprised if WAW gets added for eastern Europe access. It has better connectivity than BUD. That said, I am surprised the CX/LHG codeshare hasn't been expanded yet to cover MUC and BRU so maybe connectivity through LHG isn't a factor here (or CX is just slow).
DUB - I could actually see because of the little competition from Asian carriers. Google tells me it only has twice weekly to PEK on HU.
LGW - My two cents is they would upgauge their 5x LHR to top gauge before starting a LGW.
Originally Posted by
US HK UK flyer
Beyond the market issues, CX is trying to fulfill HK government requests that it build more connections. The airport/government have also launched subsidies for connecting with Europe and North America to rebuild the network, so that's bound to be a consideration. While they're theoretically open to any carrier, CX was in position to leap on them quickly while Western carriers probably needed to do more assessments. I agree they may be taking the opportunity to steal some share on routes as well.
I'm not sure about Copenhagen - wasn't it dropped before Covid due to low loads?
Wasn't that also their second and very short lived attempt at CPH as well?
My (completely uneducated) next picks for long haul resumptions would be DUB (low competition), ADL (can do on just a 333 so why not) and SEA (contrarian but strong connectivity through AS who has intercontinental aspirations and not everyone is willing to fly AA). Much as I would like IAD to come back, I don't see it. Outside of that, I would think they would want to shore up their existing ports and get their Aria roll out sorted.