Fat hope I'd say. Unlike PEN, BKI is an AK hub. I'll be surprised if the other way doesn't happen (AK kicking UO out if UO dares to join in) on it.

AK literally competes with 4 other carriers on BKI-ICN, and has flights to all three major Greater Bay airports (SZX/HKG/CAN). AK has gotten the HKG/SZX/CAN market segmented properly and I don't see them sitting out of HKG just because UO decides to join.

agree, CX will better do more MAD, MUC, BRU, or even more FRA. LGW is possible when CX receive more aircrafts.

Why do you think VIE would be unprofitable? Yes OS tried and left but it has service from TPE, HND and ICN so its not that exotic for Asia PoS.

so may s
​​well as well.close this thread till 2028?

Agree, but you think Casablanca would be profitable? See your earlier post #1896.

Not OP but I’d wager CMN is actively discussed.

Post Covid BRI flow is very notable and accelerating. Morocco is one of main FIFA 2030 hosts. Gulf carriers high and growing load factors suggest there’s demand. CZ is signaling they’re also entering. Imo the indicators are there.

It can be seasonal like Rome.

CZ could be doing political missions though. PRC airlines even do South America and Mexico now and i question whether those routes are profitable too.

I agree on the political angle. CX may as well do it to preserve face in addition to the other aforementioned factors.

We are all speculating here but I think it wouldn't do any worse than Brussels or even Munich given its better for Eastern Europe. Who knows though.

I honestly think VIE is fine, transit traffic would be strong. I mentioned most of the routes the poster mentioned in previous posts are rather unprofitable and don't make a lot of sense, not all of them.

About CMN, I only referenced it as it has been stated many times in this thread, and I believe it has more potential than SEA due to less competition and the airport has barely any Asia flights, a great way to get more passengers. Though I don't see CX launching CMN anytime until 2028 likely.

As a fun exercise, I tried asking this type of question to a few well-known AI chatbots (most likely new or resumed long haul routes for CX within the next 1-2 years). A few cities in particular consistently top the list in terms of most likely destinations. For example: Vienna, Lisbon, Dublin. All cities discussed in this thread.

The real issue (of coz my 2 cents) for a VIE direct flight is the potential cannibalisation of ZRH. And ZRH can perfectly handle transit to under 90mins. So is it a big difference arriving in VIE at 7/8am vs 9/10am for most?

BRU is a different story since CX has axed much capacity from AMS and CDG vs prior COVID.

All in all, the biggest issue is shortage of plane, and the need to balance cargo demand.

CMN already has a dailly EK flight (388). QR has a flight 6 days a week and codeshare with AT on a daily flight. Lots of capacity to Asia. I doubt that CX could compete meaningfully, except for HK people (nonstop)..

according to some Cx insider , cx will launch CMN - a one world hub with connection to other places under the same alliance

CX CE once said that they would launch a destination where there is no direct flight flying from hk before - likely CMN