Virgin Australia has announced an alliance agreement with HNA Aviation, Hong Kong Airlines and HK Express, which will see the Australian carrier launching flights to Hong Kong and China, as well as codeshare with these Chinese carriers on international and domestic flights.
As part of the first stage of the alliance, Virgin Australia plans to introduce flights between Australia and Hong Kong in mid-2017 on Airbus A330 aircraft.
Subject to regulatory approval, the airlines also plan to codeshare on each other’s domestic and international flights between Australia and Hong Kong/China; cooperate on route planning, sales, distribution and marketing; and offer reciprocral benefits on frequent flyer programmes including lounge access, priority check-in and other activities.
Virgin Australia Group’s CEO John Borghetti said: “This new alliance will be a game changer for travel between Australia and China, providing significantly more competition and choice for travellers.
“The alliance will accelerate and support our access to the Chinese market, which is Australia’s fastest growing and most valuable inbound travel market,” he added.
