Celebrations were held at both Hong Kong and Phuket international airports on Wednesday, June 21, as Hong Kong Airlines touched down in Phuket for the first time.
Flight HX741, an Airbus A320, departed Hong Kong just before 9pm local time, landing in Phuket around 3 hours later, at 11.10pm. There is a one-hour time difference between Hong Kong and Phuket.
PHOTO: Facebook/Phuket International Airport – HKT
After a short time on the ground, the aircraft left Phuket again, with HX742 departing shortly after midnight and arriving back in Hong Kong at around 4.45am.
Naparat Vudhivad, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, attended a ceremony held by the Hong Kong Airport Authority to mark the inaugural flight. The ceremony was also attended by Jeff Sun, President of Hong Kong Airlines, who says the airline wants to become a carrier of choice for passengers travelling between Thailand and Hong Kong.
“As the largest island in Thailand, Phuket is widely regarded as one of the most enduring holiday hotspots. We are thrilled to add this vacation paradise to our expanding regional network, allowing more connection services and convenient travel options. Hong Kong Airlines aspires to become the airline of choice for Thai and international travellers seeking to travel between Hong Kong and Thailand.”
Hong Kong Airlines will fly the Phuket route 4 times a week, using its Airbus A320 fleet. The aircraft can carry 174 passengers, allowing Hong Kong Airlines to fly up to 696 passengers a week to Phuket.
SOURCE: Simple Flying
