The plans of three overseas airlines to resume or expand services for their US and Middle East routes to Hong Kong reaffirm its aviation hub status despite geopolitical challenges, analysts have said, as the number of carriers flying to the city exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

The experts also said they expected Cathay Pacific Airways, the city’s flag carrier, to face heightened competition for direct US services and indirect Gulf-transit options, while passengers could anticipate more choices and moderate fare reductions for long-haul flights.

Among the airlines returning to Hong Kong is the United States-based Delta Air Lines, which will be bringing back its non-stop flights between the city and Los Angeles from June next year.

The airline ran a direct service between Hong Kong and Seattle until 2018, with the route discontinued amid challenging market dynamics.

Fellow US carrier United Airlines will launch an intra-Asia route that will connect Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Bangkok, and another bridging San Francisco, Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City. The new routes are set to launch in late October this year.

It earlier resumed its nonstop service between Hong Kong and San Francisco in March 2023 after axing the route at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

How will Hong Kong expansion plans by overseas airlines energise local aviation?

Three overseas airlines have announced plans to resume or expand services to Hong Kong, reinforcing its status as an aviation hub despite geopolitical challenges. Delta Air Lines will resume non-stop flights to Los Angeles from June 2025, while United Airlines will launch new intra-Asia routes connecting Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Bangkok, as well as San Francisco, Hong Kong, and Ho Chi Minh City. Cathay Pacific Airways faces increased competition for US services, with passengers expected to see more flight options and fare reductions.