A Guam Business series providing a birds-eye view of carriers serving Micronesia
HK Express
Director and CEO: Andrew Cowen
Regional executive: Luke Lovegrove, commercial director
Number of employees: Around 900
Awards in 2016:
- Top 10 Safest Airlines in the World by AirlineRatings.com
- 7/7 Star Safety Rating by AirlineRatings.com
- “Ranking of Life on the Road – The Most Popular Airline Award” by Guangdong Radio and Television
- Silver award in Best Use of Limited Budget awarded by MOB-EX Award 2016 for the “Our Birthday, Your Gift!” campaign
- Famous Brands Hong Kong 2015 by Asia Brand Development Association
- Top 10 Budget Airlines by Smart Asia Travel 2016
- 2nd Lowest Fare per Kilometer in Asia by Rome2rio according to 2016 Global Flight Pricing Ranking
- Top 3 Best Low-cost Airlines by 2016 Business Traveler, Asia-Pacific Awards
- “North and East Asia Region – Best Low-cost Carrier” by Future Travel Experience Asia Awards
- Most-searched Travel Brand on Google Mobile 2016
Routes and service launch dates in Micronesia:
- Hong Kong-Guam: Dec. 15
- Hong Kong-Saipan: Jan. 18
Cost tiers/classes: Fun; Fun+; Flex
Alliance: U-Fly Alliance
Extra fees: Baggage (at initial booking) – 20kg: $30; 25 kg: $47; 30kg: $48. In-flight meals available for purchase.
In-flight amenities: In-flight meal, in-flight magazine: Uexplore, in-flight sales.
On-time performance (February 2016 – February 2017): 76.8%
Claim to fame: HK Express is the first Hong Kong–based low-cost carrier.
Hong Kong Airlines
President: Liya Wang
Regional staff: Joan C. Boongaling, supervisor of Saipan airport services
Number of employees in Saipan: 1
Awards in 2016: Rated 4-star from Skytrax since 2011
Routes and service launch dates in Micronesia: Saipan–Hong Kong: July 7
Cost tiers/classes: Economy, Business
Extra fees: Excessive weight/oversized baggage: $150 – $250; extra piece of baggage: $300 – $50
On-time performance (Jan. 15 – March 15):
- Hong Kong–Saipan: 100%
- Saipan–Hong Kong: 100%
Claim to fame: Hong Kong Airlines operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with aircraft age averaging around 4.6 years. The operating fleet has 34 aircraft to include 29 passenger aircraft and five freighters.
Eva Air
Head executive: Derek Che
Number of employees: 10,047 worldwide as of March
Awards in 2016:
- 5-star airline status by Skytrax
- Top-10 Best International Airlines by Travel + Leisure
- World’s Third Most Loved Airline, Number One in Best Trans-Pacific Airline and Best Business Class Comfort Amenities by Skytrax
- Gold medals in Best Business Class Cellar and Best Business Class Sparkling Wine in Business Traveller Magazine’s annual Cellars in the Sky
- One of the World’s Top 10 Safest Airlines for 2016 and 2017 by AERO International Magazine based on analyses by the Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre
Routes and service launch dates in Micronesia: Guam-Taipei: June 2011
Cost tiers/classes: Business, Economy
Extra fees: $50 for more than two pieces of luggage; $32 extra baggage charge per piece for overweight; $100 – $300 for oversized.
In-flight amenities: Meals, snacks, drinks
On-time performance (Jan. 15 – March 15): Taipei-Guam: 92%
Claim to fame: Eva Air was the first airline to introduce premium economy on Dec. 12, 1992. It created its first generation of specially painted Hello Kitty and Sanrio Family planes in 2005.
Future opportunities/changes in regards to Micronesia services: Eva Air looks forward to continuing to make flying an enjoyable experience for more and more passengers flying to and from Micronesia and worldwide.
United Airlines
Head executive: Oscar Munoz, CEO
Regional head: Samuel V. Shinohara, managing director of operations Asia/Pacific
Number of employees: 910 in Micronesia; 772 in Guam
Hong Kong route and service launch date in Micronesia: Hong Kong–Guam: April 1, 2013
Cost tiers/classes: Economy, Economy Plus, Business, Global First, Polaris
Alliance: Star Alliance
On-time performance (Jan. 15 – March 15): 97% Guam–Hong Kong; 77% Hong Kong–Guam
— For more information on United Airlines see “Passport to the Airline Industry: Japan Region” in the January-February issue of the Guam Business Magazine
