Valuair - another budget airline - flies to Hong Kong

(HONG KONG, 7 May 2004) - Valuair today launched its scheduled daily flight service between Hong Kong and Singapore, becoming the latest budget airline to operate out of Hong Kong International Airport. Dr David Pang, Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong, said, "We extend a very warm welcome to Valuair. Budget airlines are emerging rapidly on the business horizon, creating a new market segment of air travellers in this region. This will bring additional business opportunities to the aviation industry, including airports and the supporting economies. "The addition of more airlines, low-fare / budget ones included, will help extend our extensive network and consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a premier regional hub. We will continue to proactively attract more airlines to operate from this airport, to more destinations with more flights." Mr Arthur Lim, Executive Director of Valuair, said, "In choosing Hong Kong as one of our start-up destinations, we hope to help further expand the number of family, leisure and business travellers between the two cities. By offering lower fares, Valuair will increase passenger numbers and benefit the economies of Hong Kong and Singapore. Hong Kong International Airport’s efficient and customer-focused service has made our choice an easy and obvious one." Currently 75 airlines connect Hong Kong to over 140 destinations. Four low-fare/budget airlines, including Valuair, Cebu Pacific, Orient Thai and Australian Airlines operate from the airport. Mr Howard Eng, Airport Management Director, added that the Airport Authority has been closely studying the market potentials offered by low-fare / budget airlines, and is looking into ways to make HKIA an even more attractive airport for this category of airlines to operate from. "We've been discussing with low-fare / budget airlines on how we could meet their needs even better," he said. Low-fare / budget airlines operate routes of relatively shorter distances with a demand for quick turnaround time. As one of the most efficient airports in the region, HKIA is fully capable of supporting the operational needs of these airlines and adding value to their businesses. -- ends -- Valuair's first flight to Hong Kong landed at HKIA at 11:26am today. AA Airport Management Director, Mr Howard Eng (fourth from left), and Commercial Director, Mr Hans Bakker (sixth from left), welcome the captain and crew of Valuair's first flight to HKIA with the airline's Executive Director, Mr Arthur Lim (fifth from left). AA Commercial Director, Mr Hans Bakker (left) and Airport Management Director, Mr Howard Eng (centre), and the captain of Valuair's inaugural flight cheer the airline's commencement of service between HK and Singapore today. - Download photos