Virgin Australia outlines planned HNA alliance agreement and Hong Kong services
Virgin Australia announced (17-Feb-2017) details of its proposed alliance agreement with HNA Aviation, Hong Kong Airlines and HK Express. The airlines submitted an application for authorisation of the proposed alliance to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Subject to authorisation, the airlines plan to:
- Introduce new direct services between Australia and Hong Kong and between Australia and mainland China, operated by Virgin Australia with A330 equipment. The alliance will offer onward connections to destinations in mainland China on services operated by Hong Kong Airlines;
- Virgin will codeshare on services operated by Hong Kong Airlines, Hainan Airlines and other HNA Aviation airlines between Australia and mainland China, between Australia and Hong Kong and on domestic services. Beijing Capital Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines and Tianjin Airlines will codeshare on Virgin Australia's domestic and trans-Tasman network;
- The partners will cooperate in relation to route planning, sales, distribution and marketing, frequent flyer programmes, lounge access and other activities;
- Frequent flyer partnership between Velocity Frequent Flyer and Fortune Wings Club, including:
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- The opportunity to earn Points and Status Credits on alliance routes;
- Reciprocal access to tier status benefits including lounge access, priority check-in, priority boarding and additional baggage allowances.
Virgin Australia plans to introduce services between Australia and Hong Kong in mid-2017. The airlines are seeking interim authorisation of the proposed alliance to enable the introduction of the services and the commencement of codeshare arrangements. [more - original PR]
Virgin Australia Group: “This new alliance will be a game changer for travel between Australia and China, providing significantly more competition and choice for travellers. We are excited about introducing direct Virgin Australia flights – and our famous customer service – to Hong Kong, together with access to destinations across China. The alliance will accelerate and support our access to the Chinese market, which is Australia’s fastest growing and most valuable inbound travel market." John Borghetti, CEO. Source: Company statement.