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Safe to fly with Hong Kong Airlines over CNY?

With cash flow issues and rumours of flight cancellations over CNY, is it still safe to from Hong Kong Airlines?

Quote:

Originally Posted by anythursday (Post 30644948)

With cash flow issues and rumours of flight cancellations over CNY, is it still safe to from Hong Kong Airlines?

“Safe” in the “will i die or get seriously injured en route” sense - probably no more unsafe than it was a year ago. “
Safe” in the “will I get stranded and have to pay to make my own way home” sense... sadly possible, although still clearly uncertain.

I have a ticket on Hong Kong airlines from LAX to BKK and return. I’ve been worried about that possibility for a couple of weeks. Besides the news about high officials there quitting and insurance companies refusing to insure them and their passengers in case the airline shuts down, they have an interest payment due the week of January 21 for a half billion loan. In the last two days, they found a creditor that would lend them the money to make the payment. It seems like the Chinese government is concerned about Hong Kong airline’s shutting down, particularly during CNY and had a part in making sure that Hong Kong airlines had the funds to get through at least CNY.

HKA is fine. I'm guessing you didn't really mean to use the word "safe" either and you're rather concerned about the recent South China Morning Post (SCMP) stories regarding HKA's financial security. The mainland has stepped in (and China Development Bank will provide the interest payments on the much discussed bond payment this month) and will not let the HNA group's airlines fail. Yes, there is a huge debt problem at HNA (the primary holding company) and there has been some turnover at HKA, but such turnover doesn't appear to be "resignations" per se but rather their new creditors demanding the departure of certain management in order to put the blame somewhere. The SCMP stories are largely conjecture and the fact the local govt has a contingency plan for disruptions to its local airline is what any responsible government should do. In fact, there has not been any evidence of operational disruptions to Hong Kong airlines and the management rightfully has delayed deliveries and international expansion until they get their ducks in a row. I imagine the risk of a Cathay Pacific pilots strike is actually a more likely scenario than HKA going under - the PRC just will not let it happen - it's a matter of pride for them.

Btw, the author of the pieces by SCMP is a huge Cathay stooge. Just look at his social media profiles.