Jetstar Hong Kong article in The Age

[Isochronous]

The HK Basic Law gives the HK Government the right to set its own aviation policy. Even if mainland carriers got greater access to HK, so what? Locals don't trust their safety record, have a low view of the service and would dislike their lack of Cantonese-speaking staff.

 

[anat0l]

The HK Basic Law gives the HK Government the right to set its own aviation policy. Even if mainland carriers got greater access to HK, so what? Locals don't trust their safety record, have a low view of the service and would dislike their lack of Cantonese-speaking staff.

Well, that wouldn't account for the mainlanders to Hong Kong traffic both in and out. That can't be insubstantial.

The way I see it, if the HK Government has carte blanche right to set its own aviation policy, then it can elect to do this on a case by case basis if it wants to. So, for example, grant rights for JQHK, but deny any applications from the mainland. Of course, the mainland may not like this kind of "discrimination". Plus, if it was going to not grant rights to mainland Chinese carriers, why make one small, insignificant exception for a non-Chinese / non-HK carrier like JQHK?

Although Cantonese continues to be a de facto language of Hong Kong and lingua franca, the rise of the prevalence of Mandarin since 1997 has been rapid.

 

[dk4]

Although Cantonese continues to be a de facto language of Hong Kong and lingua franca, the rise of the prevalence of Mandarin since 1997 has been rapid.

Around half the population already speaks Mandarin, and it has displaced English in the school system.

Mandarin overtakes English as Hong Kong's second language - Telegraph

 

[Melburnian1]

AJ's poetic licence about Jetstar Hong Kong

Businessmen and women the world over can use poetic licence when a deal is on the table, but AJ's comments about the proposed but still embarrasingly inactive Jetstar Hong Kong are extreme when he asserts that the new venture, if approved, would be more 'local' than CX:

Jetstar hops in on HK hub with 'local' content

I doubt that the authorities in Beijing would take AJ overly seriously, even though Ms Pansy Ho is closely involved with the bid.

CX is fighting tooth and nail to stop the proposed QF group offshoot as CX regards this as 'thin edge of the wedge' stuff.

AJ can move aircraft around, but unless things have recently changed there are four parked aircraft on the ground which given leasing or ownership costs, maintenance and even parking them in a designated area must be costing QF as a group a pretty packet.

This Jetstar local HK venture was meant to launch months ago. There's still no firm date - just an aspiration.

 

[Awesom Andy]

The HK Basic Law gives the HK Government the right to set its own aviation policy. Even if mainland carriers got greater access to HK, so what? Locals don't trust their safety record, have a low view of the service and would dislike their lack of Cantonese-speaking staff.

On the topic of Cantonese speaking staff, the call line (the one I used in SIN, at least) already give options for Cantonese. Haven't tried this myself though - best if I stick to English.

 

[yohy?!]

On the topic of Cantonese speaking staff, the call line (the one I used in SIN, at least) already give options for Cantonese. Haven't tried this myself though - best if I stick to English.

They have been running HKG-SIN for ages now (from bus gates at HKG )

 

[yohy?!]

Well, that wouldn't account for the mainlanders to Hong Kong traffic both in and out. That can't be insubstantial.

The way I see it, if the HK Government has carte blanche right to set its own aviation policy, then it can elect to do this on a case by case basis if it wants to. So, for example, grant rights for JQHK, but deny any applications from the mainland. Of course, the mainland may not like this kind of "discrimination". Plus, if it was going to not grant rights to mainland Chinese carriers, why make one small, insignificant exception for a non-Chinese / non-HK carrier like JQHK?

Although Cantonese continues to be a de facto language of Hong Kong and lingua franca, the rise of the prevalence of Mandarin since 1997 has been rapid.

Again that presumes that HK will act independently of the mainland - which given the current political circumstances (ie the Chief Exec is seen as Beijing's puppet) is highly unlikely. There have been many instances whereby the HK government defers to Beijing to "reinterpret" the Basic Law - it should not be seen now as the type of "safety net" it was intended to be in 1997...the lines between HK and PRC are already very blurred.

I would be very suprised to see JQ HK not granted a license given their investment by the former state owned MU. It merely seems a matter now to allow the CX cries of unfairness to die down (as well as the recent controversy over CX travel "gifts" to senior politicians) before quietly granting the application.

In terms of language, whilst Mandarin is quite common for those in HK doing business with the mainland it is by no means preferred by HK people for day to day use - large sections of the population are quite hostile to what they see as moves against their culture from an influx of mainlanders.

 

[samh004]

In terms of language, whilst Mandarin is quite common for those in HK doing business with the mainland it is by no means preferred by HK people for day to day use - large sections of the population are quite hostile to what they see as moves against their culture from an influx of mainlanders.

I remember the lifts at HKU announcing floors in 3 languages back when I was last there in 2008, and probably years before that!

 

[yohy?!]

I remember the lifts at HKU announcing floors in 3 languages back when I was last there in 2008, and probably years before that!

indeed...try asking a local for directions in mandarin and see what reaction you get though!

 

[kamchatsky]

indeed...try asking a local for directions in mandarin and see what reaction you get though!

Unless the local was actually in the shop selling jewelleries, purfumes, clothes, electronics, milk powders, etc etc

 

[yohy?!]

back on topic - an article today in SCMP from the Legislative Council basicall rebutting all of CX's gripes and extolling the importance of LCCs for HK (and how far behind the rest of asia they are)

Argument against budget airlines won't fly in Hong Kong | South China Morning Post

Whether Jetstar Hong Kong has its principal place of business here is a question of fact determined by its place of incorporation - Hong Kong - and whether its board and management principally operates out of Hong Kong. Other factors include whether it intends to hire employees and maintain a fleet out of Hong Kong International Airport.
Any argument pointing to foreign ownership and shareholders structure is misconceived and restricts the development of the industry here. Shun Tak Holdings, a Hong Kong public company, China Eastern Airlines, which is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, and Qantas Group, based in Australia, each own one-third of Jetstar Hong Kong.

 

[samh004]

Good news, though you could say there's already a very successful LCC, considering some of the fares CX sells with zero earning and incredible restrictions.

 

[anat0l]

Good news, though you could say there's already a very successful LCC, considering some of the fares CX sells with zero earning and incredible restrictions.

You still get food and baggage, though. I wonder if you could even upgrade them with CX instruments.

Does pose an interesting point though - JQHK pricing would have to be quite low to attract a good audience. People may think HK needs an LCC but they need to be well aware of what cheap LCC fares entail - and it ain't much. OK if you know this and that's all you need, but people can have warped expectations.

One thing - do CX do good one-way fares? I've done a few dummy bookings of one-way fares on the CX website and I think I either get at least a flexible bucket or the most flexible one; never the cheapest bucket (only for return fares). But that could be me. Since LCCs are point to point there's another consideration (though granted CX is not the only competition for JQHK and I'm sure several other full cost carriers servicing HK have one-way pricing)