Should I stay or should I go - Hong Kong [protests]

[JB expat]

Note - there is an additional checkpoint for those entering the airport from "outside". Have to show boarding pass + passport. I've been told that the queues can get long (at the time I came through - 2:30pm they were short). My colleagues who live in HKG and always cut it much closer than I do, have allocated extra time to get through. I recommend doing the same if you are someone who typically cuts it down to the minimum time needed (I'm a "get to the airport early" and don't sweat it kind of person - always).

 

[Melburnian1]

I 've got the popcorn out and just watching how all this will play out.

Especially for leisure travellers, there can be a substantial lag between booking and travelling, although travel agents I know suggest that medium and long distance leisure travellers ex Oz are booking closer to date of departure than used to be the case (but I don't know how many weeks that means.)

Do AFFers believe that CX and other airlines' patronage into and out of HKG will be lower in say three or four months time (given that some prospective patrons may be weighing up at present whether to visit, or even transit through, HKG, and there's still street protests) or will the unrest have little to no discernible effect on loadings?

 

[harvyk]

Do AFFers believe that CX and other airlines' patronage into and out of HKG will be lower in say three or four months time (given that some prospective patrons may be weighing up at present whether to visit, or even transit through, HKG, and there's still street protests) or will the unrest have little to no discernible effect on loadings?

I'm of the opinion that we're only just starting to see the damage these protests are doing to HKG.

If the protests stopped tomorrow it will take months for things to turn back to normal.

I'm also of the opinion that the worst possible move China could make is attempt to stop these protests.

It'll be interesting to see exactly how this plays out.

 

[pauly7]

Especially for leisure travellers, there can be a substantial lag between booking and travelling, although travel agents I know suggest that medium and long distance leisure travellers ex Oz are booking closer to date of departure than used to be the case (but I don't know how many weeks that means.)

Do AFFers believe that CX and other airlines' patronage into and out of HKG will be lower in say three or four months time (given that some prospective patrons may be weighing up at present whether to visit, or even transit through, HKG, and there's still street protests) or will the unrest have little to no discernible effect on loadings?

I know of a lot of businesses that have put HKG on the ‘only if business critical’ travel
list now for the time being which will be really hurting airlines.....

QF have come out and flagged in the media that they will be downgauging to smaller planes if required, and a friend who works for a mining company flew on VA the other day with 75 people on board!!

 

[Melburnian1]

I know of a lot of businesses that have put HKG on the ‘only if business critical’ travel
list now for the time being which will be really hurting airlines.....

QF have come out and flagged in the media that they will be downgauging to smaller planes if required, and a friend who works for a mining company flew on VA the other day with 75 people on board!!

Goodness: without allowing for any 'roped off' seats for crew use, that VA plane had occupancy of 27.27 per cent. Disastrous. Donghai Airlines DRW - SZX MK II.

Your first paragraph is accurate. Business travellers pay a far higher median fare on average, not just because of the class in which they travel but also how many need to book closer to departure day.

I missed those QF comments by its CEO but he suggested that it would cut capacity to HKG by about seven percent by using A332s (same as VA) not A333s.

If I'm reading it correctly, he was more definite, pauly7, than saying 'if required.'

He also said A333s would be 'reallocated to routes that have seen growth such as SIN and MNL.' Interesting, and surprising that QF is willing to reduce capacity between Oz and HKG for at least a 'few months', as it wouldn't know for certain, totally, yet what bookings will be like then. It looks to be betting that there'll be no cessation of protests by pro-democracy demonstrators.

In two or three months when BITRE publishes its monthly comprehensive international airlines report, we'll know more re seat occupancy for CX QF and VA Oz - HKG and back.

 

[pauly7]

Goodness: without allowing for any 'roped off' seats for crew use, that VA plane had occupancy of 27.27 per cent. Disastrous. Donghai Airlines DRW - SZX MK II.

Your first paragraph is accurate. Business travellers pay a far higher median fare on average, not just because of the class in which they travel but also how many need to book closer to departure day.

In two or three months when BITRE publishes its monthly comprehensive international airlines report, we'll know more.

I flew on an EK 777 with 57 on board once, I had the J mini cabin completely to myself and F cabin infront was empty as well. Was very spooky actually!

In this media fast world they only need Hong Kong to settle down for a couple of weeks and confidence in travel will bounce back. But reports of HKG being a ghost town do not sound promising.

 

[Pleb Status]

For interest, if the available seat maps are anything to go by, the seat map for VA69 MEL-HKG tomorrow (27AUG19) currently shows only 4J and 21Y seats empty (as a WP, so there should be no seat blocking evident). On the return flight VA68 HKG-MEL tomorrow (27AUG19), the seat map currently shows only 8J and 26Y seats empty.

As not everyone would have selected a seat just yet, one would think the number of unsold seats should be less than those noted above.

 

[Happy Dude]

Is the Eaton any good now? It looks like it may have been refurbished.

I have not stayed there for >5 years now, but with current rates at AUD90/night fully refundable, it may be worth another try...

I'm looking at hotels for Feb 2020 and you @harvyk piqued my interest. I know you said current rates but it's far from $90/night refundable for my dates (no surprises there, I expect an increase in scaffolding at insta-spots and a massive devlauation in the AUD just before I arrive too).

But regardless I'm not sure this is the type of place I've any business staying at. From their website, WTF is going on here? Where are her shoes? This was one of the more 'sensible' pictures. Strange advertising and/or I'm too old to understand.

 

[Pleb Status]

I'm looking at hotels for Feb 2020 and you @harvyk piqued my interest. I know you said current rates but it's far from $90/night refundable for my dates (no surprises there, I expect an increase in scaffolding at insta-spots and a massive devlauation in the AUD just before I arrive too).

But regardless I'm not sure this is the type of place I've any business staying at. From their website, WTF is going on here? Where are her shoes? This was one of the more 'sensible' pictures. Strange advertising and/or I'm too old to understand.

View attachment 184484

Very strange indeed... An exorcism perhaps? Interpretive dance? Marketing getting too excited?

Prices in February 2020 must assume the current problems will be well and truly over as they are well north of AUD200/night. I am staying next month, hence the lower pricing...

 

[Quickstatus]

What would happen with a plane that didn’t have enough fuel to turn around? I want to say “of course they’d be allowed to land”. But is it “of course”?

The airport is not closed to air traffic. Alternatively declare an emergency and land, or divert or another airport.

 

[jakeseven7]

I know of a lot of businesses that have put HKG on the ‘only if business critical’ travel
list now for the time being which will be really hurting airlines.....

QF have come out and flagged in the media that they will be downgauging to smaller planes if required, and a friend who works for a mining company flew on VA the other day with 75 people on board!!

Hopefully it was just one of their ‘rescue’ flights.... but there is press out saying Hong Kong is not profitable for VA and may be news on that as part of the financial results announcement tomorrow....

Goodness: without allowing for any 'roped off' seats for crew use, that VA plane had occupancy of 27.27 per cent. Disastrous. Donghai Airlines DRW - SZX MK II.

Your first paragraph is accurate. Business travellers pay a far higher median fare on average, not just because of the class in which they travel but also how many need to book closer to departure day.

I missed those QF comments by its CEO but he suggested that it would cut capacity to HKG by about seven percent by using A332s (same as VA) not A333s.

If I'm reading it correctly, he was more definite, pauly7, than saying 'if required.'

He also said A333s would be 'reallocated to routes that have seen growth such as SIN and MNL.' Interesting, and surprising that QF is willing to reduce capacity between Oz and HKG for at least a 'few months', as it wouldn't know for certain, totally, yet what bookings will be like then. It looks to be betting that there'll be no cessation of protests by pro-democracy demonstrators.

In two or three months when BITRE publishes its monthly comprehensive international airlines report, we'll know more re seat occupancy for CX QF and VA Oz - HKG and back.

Well other airlines are suspending flights (eg United) so it’s hardly surprising a big operator like QF is looking at trimming back, I’m sure VA are doing the same but they are stuck because they can’t downsize to a 737!

For interest, if the available seat maps are anything to go by, the seat map for VA69 MEL-HKG tomorrow (27AUG19) currently shows only 4J and 21Y seats empty (as a WP, so there should be no seat blocking evident). On the return flight VA68 HKG-MEL tomorrow (27AUG19), the seat map currently shows only 8J and 26Y seats empty.

As not everyone would have selected a seat just yet, one would think the number of unsold seats should be less than those noted above.

One swallow a spring does not make. Both posts (the 75 pax and yours) are just anecdotal and don’t prove anything.

Let’s wait and see if VA make any announcement tomorrow (discussed in the VA results thread already so won’t take this thread off topic in that).

 

[Stealthflyer]

Do AFFers believe that CX and other airlines' patronage into and out of HKG will be lower in say three or four months time (given that some prospective patrons may be weighing up at present whether to visit, or even transit through, HKG, and there's still street protests) or will the unrest have little to no discernible effect on loadings?

I reckon I’m not alone in deferring leisure trip plans. I was going to book a small trip with friends to eat yum cha for 3 days. But we decided to hold off (and go to NZ instead), even though Virgin have been offering some great prices to HK. Judging from last night’s news, the protests are still escalating. I can’t see an end to the protests any time soon.

 

[harvyk]

I'm looking at hotels for Feb 2020 and you @harvyk piqued my interest. I know you said current rates but it's far from $90/night refundable for my dates (no surprises there, I expect an increase in scaffolding at insta-spots and a massive devlauation in the AUD just before I arrive too).

But regardless I'm not sure this is the type of place I've any business staying at. From their website, WTF is going on here? Where are her shoes? This was one of the more 'sensible' pictures. Strange advertising and/or I'm too old to understand.

View attachment 184484

I have to admit, I've never looked at their website. I always just booked it via hotels.com.

Yes that photo is a little weird.

 

[Lynda2475]

I'm watching with interest, my leisure trip is on 26th Dec - no real need to cancel yet (thankfully a reward flight and hotel booking with free cancellation up to 48 hours before), only annoying thing is that chances of a alternate premium flight for xmas/new years period is basically non existence, so might be sitting at home during office shutdown.

 

[Ade]

Off to HKG tomorrow morning QF127.

OFF-TOPIC : Got a quick question - as a QF Gold, can I access EK lounge in HKG ? I tried to access the lounge last week but was turned away and said I need to access QF lounge. I always thought that QF and EK had the partnership thingy with reciprocal lounge access?

 

[Hvr]

as a QF Gold, can I access EK lounge in HKG ?

Is your next flight on QF or EK? And is it a QF 081 ticket?

 

[Ade]

Is your next flight on QF or EK? And is it a QF 081 ticket?

Yes, onward next flight is QF8255 (CX631) and on return, the next flight is on QF (QF128).

No, the ticket is not QF 081 ticket

 

[Hvr]

Yes, onward next flight is QF8255 (CX631) and on return, the next flight is on QF (QF128).

No, the ticket is not QF 081 ticket

Sorry, not eligible for the EK lounge. It needs to be a flight on QF metal with a QF issued ticket, i.e. 081 number.

 

[Melburnian1]

These two items suggest the demonstrations aren't about to soon cease.

Note the disgraceful behaviour of the Hong Kong police force, once proudly independent but now puppets of the totalitarian Marxist rulers in Beijing:

Video: Protesters briefly storm Hong Kong Int'l Airport before being chased away by police | Hong Kong Free Press HKFP

Hundreds of protesters briefly stormed Hong Kong’s airport on Sunday, despite attempts to heighten security in anticipation of a planned demonstration. At around 1:20pm, a group of masked protesters stormed the ground floor of Terminal 1, shattering a glass door blocking their path. They were...

www.hongkongfp.com

Hong Kong reels from chaos: 3 MTR stations remain closed, police defend storming trains, more demos planned | Hong Kong Free Press HKFP

Mong Kok, Prince Edward and Kowloon Bay MTR stations remained closed on Sunday morning after police dispersed protesters on the platform and on trains on Saturday evening. 40 people were arrested at Prince Edward station alone for offences such as unauthorised assembly, criminal damage and...

www.hongkongfp.com

 

[get me outta here]

Looks like the airport is under siege again. And violent activities in the MTR between the police and the protesters.