Originally Posted by SEA_Tigger
Turning HKG into a hub makes more sense then NGO or KIX, I imagine.
I know many have noted UA's yields into HKG from LAX were poor, but improved connecting service should help, along with some basic improvements in onboard meal service and presentation, as well as making the lavs a little nicer and putting in cabin dividers to keep them for the ticketed folks in that cabin.
I don't know if MNL is a viable service if all that traffic is excursion fares, but if not, then it makes sense and UA used to have route authority there. And with the new India service re-starting from HKG, that should hopefully drive extra traffic. With SAA entering Star, South Africa is covered direct and connecting (with LH), so not sure a JNB service would make sense for UA.
NH seems to be only able to fly one 777 a day between IAD and NRT, so I guess UA sees no demand for it (they must just shuttle folks up to the JFK-NRT flight).
I have no idea how UA would be able to make HKG as a hub. It doesn't even as much sense as making KIX or NGO as a hub.
As you probably know, UA has the 5th freedom in Japan because of WW2. Without the 5th freedom, there is no way that UA could turn NRT into a hub.
I strongly doubt if PRC would give the permission for UA to use HKG as even a focus city. Currently the U.S. doesn't have Open Skies Treaty with PRC or Hong Kong, so there would be traffic restrictions also.
http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/22281.htm
However I'm not 100% sure if the 5th freedom is a vital thing for making hub. As you see this map, NW used SEL as their secondary hub of Asia in 1995.
http://www.airchive.com/Timetables%2...Wintlmap95.jpg
Anyhow, I don't think UA will be able to make HKG as their hub.