HONG KONG – Oasis Hong Kong load factors are being boosted by support from UK travellers who have flocked to the low-cost, long haul airline since its launch late last year.
Load factors have risen from 60% at launch to a peak of 87% last month.
“We’re well above the targets we set ourselves,” said chief executive Steve Miller.
“There’s been a much bigger uptake than we anticipated from London to Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has said that the overall market between the UK and Hong Kong has increased 30 percent since we started flying.
“Some of that increase is attributed to our presence in the market.”
So far Oasis has carried 90,000 passengers and has bookings in the system of almost 170,000 seats.
UK services to Gatwick Airport are expected to go double daily next year when new aircraft arrive.
“I believe we have found a niche,” said Miller. “Our business class is 65-70% booked by UK-based passengers, many of whom are travelling onto mainland China from Hong Kong.
“These are businessmen who feel the high premium class fares of the major airlines are not value for money. With us they can fly up the front of the plane at an economy price.”
Current average round trip fares on the route are HK$6,500 (US$830) in economy and HK$16,000 (US$2045) in business class.
Oasis Hong Kong will launch services to Vancouver at the end of June following the arrival of a third 747-400. Two more 747-400s are on the way.
