Hong Kong Airways
| Company type | Airline |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Founded | 1947 |
| Founder | Jardine Matheson & Co. and BOAC |
| Defunct | 1 July 1959 |
| Fate | Merged into Cathay Pacific |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , British Hong Kong |
Area served | British Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, Ryukyu Islands, Philippines, South Korea |
| Products | Passenger air transport |
| Parent | Jardine Matheson & Co., BOAC (initially) |
Hong Kong Airways (HKA) served as the flag carrier of British Hong Kong during the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s.
Background of establishment
The year 1946 saw the creation of Jardine Air Maintenance Company (JAMCo) to support the expanding aviation network within Hong Kong. Jardine Airways functioned as the general sales agent representing BOAC and other airlines operating in the area. In 1947, HKA was launched through a collaboration between BOAC and Jardine Matheson & Co. (), with the goal of establishing a Hong Kong-based airline backed by British governmental interests. BOAC intended for this carrier to serve as a feeder airline linking its London-Hong Kong service to various destinations across China and the Far East, while the British government aimed to promote markets for British-made aircraft. Initially, Jardines held ownership of HKA as its general sales agent before full control was transferred to BOAC.
Competition over air service routes in Hong Kong
In May 1949, a route-sharing agreement was reached between Cathay Pacific (Jock Swire) and BOAC. Under this arrangement, Cathay Pacific gained access to major destinations such as Bangkok, Singapore, Haiphong, Saigon, among others, whereas Hong Kong Airways retained routes servicing Canton, Macao, Shanghai, and Tientsin. Routes to Japan were not included in this agreement.
On 1 December 1949, BOAC divested its stake in Hong Kong Airways back to Jardines, which subsequently formed a partnership with American carrier Northwest Airlines to operate charter flights connecting Taipei and Tokyo.
By 1953, the British government advocated for a consolidation among regional airlines, proposing a merger involving BOAC, Cathay Pacific, and Hong Kong Airways. This initiative culminated on 1 July 1959 when Cathay Pacific acquired Hong Kong Airways. As part of the deal, BOAC obtained a 15% equity share and secured representation on Cathay Pacific’s board.
Impact and aftermath
On 1 November 1950, JAMco combined forces with maintenance operations from Swire/Cathay Pacific to create HAECO. Jardines initially held shares in this new entity, though their stake diminished over time. The merger of HKA into Cathay Pacific took effect on 1 July 1959. Jardine Airways continued as the exclusive General Sales Agent for British Airways in Hong Kong until the year 2000.
Another company affiliated with Jardines, Eupo Air (), operated primarily by chartering seats for the Chinese community on British Airways flights between Hong Kong and London from 1983 through 2002. This arrangement echoed earlier collaborations like HKA’s partnership with Northwest Airlines during the 1950s.
As of 2013, Jardines’ principal aviation asset in Hong Kong is its ground handling division, known as Jardine Aviation Services. Eupo Air maintains ongoing cooperation with British Airways and Jardine Travel, delivering retail agency services along with corporate travel management solutions.
The Swire Group continues to be the dominant shareholder in Cathay Pacific, while Dragonair, now operating under the name Cathay Dragon, flies routes originally established by HKA.
Fleet
The fleet operated by Hong Kong Airways included:
- 1 Douglas DC-3
- 1 Douglas DC-4
- 2 Vickers Viscount V760D
- VR-HFI leased from BOAC Associated Companies – transferred to Malayan Airways in 1959
- VR-HFJ leased from BOAC Associated Companies – also sold to Malayan Airways in 1959
Destinations
- British Hong Kong
- China
- Guangzhou – Pai Yuen Airport
- Shanghai – Shanghai Longhua Airport
- Taipei (operated until 1949)
- Taiwan (after 1949)
- Japan
- Ryukyu Islands
- Philippines
- South Korea
Incidents and accidents
- On 11 July 1949, a Hong Kong Airways Douglas DC-3 aircraft (registration VR-HDQ) overran the runway during its takeoff at Kai Tak Airport, on a flight from Hong Kong to Canton. The plane ended up in the water and sank despite rescue attempts. Among the 11 people on board—three crew members and eight passengers—there were no fatalities.
References
pg 117 of "Beyond Lion Rock" Young, Gavin 1988 pg 236 of "The Thistle & the Jade" Keswick, Maggie Ed. 1982