HK Express maps out ambitious growth plans with new routes

HK Express, the low cost arm of Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., says it’s willing to sacrifice profitability as it expands to capitalize on the enlarged Hong Kong International Airport. HK Express CEO Jeanette Mao vowed to make more investment in planes and routes during a press conference Monday to mark the carrier’s 11th anniversary. This year will see 10 new routes launched for HK Express, the most in its history. “If you ask me whether we’re eyeing profitable growth, I will say this year, and in the upcoming one or two years, we’re in the stage of investment for growth,” Mao said. “With the third runway, we expect regional short-haul capacity will continue to grow.” HK Express’s 10th new destination this year is Shizuoka in central Japan. That takes the number of destinations in Japan alone to 11 across 300 flights a week, making it HK Express’s single-largest market. Short-term demand is giving “us great confidence in the market outlook,” Mao said. Japan is popular with the weak yen while there’s been a strong pick up in bookings originating from neighboring mainland Chinese cities Shenzhen and Guangzhou, she said. <br/>