Hong Kong Airways
Encyclopedia
Hong Kong Airways – HKA was an airline in Hong Kong
during the late 1940s and 1950s.
and Jardine, Matheson & Co.
(怡和). Jardines wanted to develop a Hong Kong carrier with the support of a British government backed enterprise. BOAC wanted to create a feeder carrier to transport passengers from their London to Hong Kong service to onward destinations in China and the Far East. Additionally the government in London wanted to develop a new market for British manufactured aircraft. Jardines were General Sales Agents of HKA and became owners before selling to government backed partner BOAC.
"On 13 May 1949 an agreement was signed by Cathay Pacific
(Jock Swire) and BOAC
(on behalf of Hong Kong Airways) along Grantham's (@) lines of allocation. Cathay secured the valuable routes to and from Bangkok, Singapore, Haiphong, Saigon, Sandakan, Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu) and Labuan, and Rangoon (with an extension possible to Calcutta). That left HKA with Canton, Macao, Shanghai and Tientsin, not, after all, Japan. The 'Battle of Hong Kong Airways', as Jock called it, did not end here. It dragged on for another ten years. In November 1949 BOAC
sold Hong Kong Airways back to Jardines, but it soon ran for cover to another 'big brother', in a charter association with the American company Northwest Airlines
on the Taipei
and Tokyo
services. Absurdly, HKA was still an airline without planes of its own. Then in 1953, the British
Government attempted to bring about a merger between Cathay Pacific
, BOAC
and Hong Kong Airways to form a single regional airline. This came to nothing for two reasons: first, disaster hit BOAC
in the quick succession of two Comet jets and a Constellation, and, secondly, Hong Kong Airways was doomed to be a dead loss in anyone's hands. Later still, BOAC
came back having decided to try once more to bring Hong Kong Airways to profitable life. Two new short-range Viscounts arrived in Hong Kong
in an attempt to make something of the Tokyo
route. But there was still no profit in that, and finally Lord Rennell of BOAC
meekly approached Jock Swire to ask if he would be willing to swap Hong Kong Airways for a parcel of Cathay Pacific
shares. Jock said he considered Hong Kong Airways worthless and a liability, but nevertheless, as of 1 July 1959, Cathay Pacific
took over Hong Kong Airways though spurning the two Viscounts - and BOAC
got 15 per cent of Cathay Pacific
's shares and a seat on the Board."
The Jardine perspective - pg 236 of "The Thistle & the Jade" Keswick, Maggie Ed. 1982:-
"Characteristically, Jardines was a pioneer of air travel in the Far East
. As early as the 1918 Armistice, CH Ross (then in charge in London) commissioned a feasibility study for a Jardine air service to run in conjunction with Vickers - for whom the firm were agents - from Hong Kong
to Shanghai
via the coastal ports. And later, when Imperial Airways
- the precursor of British Airways
- opened their first service to Shanghai
with flying boats, they appointed Jardines general agents, although they did not use agents at any other major city on their routes. After World War II, in association with BOAC
, Jardines also successfully launched Hong Kong Airways, which held the rights to fly from Hong Kong into China
, to Taipei
and Osaka
, and - jointly with Cathay Pacific
to the Philippines
. With the great political change in China they lost the key route: Hugh Barton, later Taipan, flew from Shanghai on the last Hongkong Airways plane. And, after trying other ventures, including two Viscounts on the Philippine flights, Jardines eventually gave up Hong Kong Airways and sold off the rights to Cathay Pacific."
maintenance interests, to from HAECO
, on 1 November 1950. After the merger of JAMCo to form HAECO
Jardine did receive a parcel of HAECO
shares but this gradually waned. HKA itself merged with Cathay Pacific
on 1 July 1959. Jardine Airways remained the exclusive General Sales Agent in Hong Kong for British Airways
until the year 2000. Another Jardine affiliate Eupo Air (欧亞) chartered seats for distribution primarily amongst the Chinese community on British Airways flights on the Hong Kong
to London
route from 1983 to 2002, a similar partnership to that of HKA and Northwest Airlines
in the 1950s. Today (2006) Jardines aviation interests in Hong Kong
are principally ground handling under the banner of Jardine Aviation Services
, however, a small Eupo Air/Jardine Travel office does act as GSA for British Airways Holidays and is a large wholesaler of BA Special fares. The Swire Group 太古 is still (2007) the principal shareholder in Cathay Pacific. Dragonair is now owned by Cathay Pacific flying some of the routes originally pioneered by HKA. On this basis it can be concluded that the battle for Hong Kong aviation was roundly won by the Swire Group 太古.
built aircraft including:
Two Viscounts sold to Union of Burma Airways in 1959 one became XY-ADH
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
during the late 1940s and 1950s.
Context of launch
In 1946 Jardine Air Maintenance Company (JAMCo) had been formed to serve the rapidly expanding portfolio of airlines serving Hong Kong and Jardine Airways was formed as the General Sales Agent in Hong Kong and China of BOAC and other carriers. HKA was formed in 1947, by BOACBoac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
and Jardine, Matheson & Co.
Jardine Matheson Holdings
Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited often referred to as Jardines, is a multinational corporation incorporated in Bermuda and based in Hong Kong. While listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Singapore Exchange, the vast majority of Jardines shares are traded in Singapore...
(怡和). Jardines wanted to develop a Hong Kong carrier with the support of a British government backed enterprise. BOAC wanted to create a feeder carrier to transport passengers from their London to Hong Kong service to onward destinations in China and the Far East. Additionally the government in London wanted to develop a new market for British manufactured aircraft. Jardines were General Sales Agents of HKA and became owners before selling to government backed partner BOAC.
Jardine & Swire battle for the HK aviation franchise
The Swire perspective - pg 117 of "Beyond Lion Rock" Young, Gavin 1988:-"On 13 May 1949 an agreement was signed by Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its head office and main hub located at Hong Kong International Airport, although the airline's registered office is on the 33rd floor of One Pacific Place...
(Jock Swire) and BOAC
Boac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
(on behalf of Hong Kong Airways) along Grantham's (@) lines of allocation. Cathay secured the valuable routes to and from Bangkok, Singapore, Haiphong, Saigon, Sandakan, Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu) and Labuan, and Rangoon (with an extension possible to Calcutta). That left HKA with Canton, Macao, Shanghai and Tientsin, not, after all, Japan. The 'Battle of Hong Kong Airways', as Jock called it, did not end here. It dragged on for another ten years. In November 1949 BOAC
Boac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
sold Hong Kong Airways back to Jardines, but it soon ran for cover to another 'big brother', in a charter association with the American company Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines, Inc. was a major United States airline founded in 1926 and absorbed into Delta Air Lines by a merger approved on October 29, 2008, making Delta the largest airline in the world...
on the Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
and Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
services. Absurdly, HKA was still an airline without planes of its own. Then in 1953, the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Government attempted to bring about a merger between Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its head office and main hub located at Hong Kong International Airport, although the airline's registered office is on the 33rd floor of One Pacific Place...
, BOAC
Boac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
and Hong Kong Airways to form a single regional airline. This came to nothing for two reasons: first, disaster hit BOAC
Boac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
in the quick succession of two Comet jets and a Constellation, and, secondly, Hong Kong Airways was doomed to be a dead loss in anyone's hands. Later still, BOAC
Boac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
came back having decided to try once more to bring Hong Kong Airways to profitable life. Two new short-range Viscounts arrived in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
in an attempt to make something of the Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
route. But there was still no profit in that, and finally Lord Rennell of BOAC
Boac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
meekly approached Jock Swire to ask if he would be willing to swap Hong Kong Airways for a parcel of Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its head office and main hub located at Hong Kong International Airport, although the airline's registered office is on the 33rd floor of One Pacific Place...
shares. Jock said he considered Hong Kong Airways worthless and a liability, but nevertheless, as of 1 July 1959, Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its head office and main hub located at Hong Kong International Airport, although the airline's registered office is on the 33rd floor of One Pacific Place...
took over Hong Kong Airways though spurning the two Viscounts - and BOAC
Boac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
got 15 per cent of Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its head office and main hub located at Hong Kong International Airport, although the airline's registered office is on the 33rd floor of One Pacific Place...
's shares and a seat on the Board."
The Jardine perspective - pg 236 of "The Thistle & the Jade" Keswick, Maggie Ed. 1982:-
"Characteristically, Jardines was a pioneer of air travel in the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
. As early as the 1918 Armistice, CH Ross (then in charge in London) commissioned a feasibility study for a Jardine air service to run in conjunction with Vickers - for whom the firm were agents - from Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
to Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
via the coastal ports. And later, when Imperial Airways
Imperial Airways
Imperial Airways was the early British commercial long range air transport company, operating from 1924 to 1939 and serving parts of Europe but especially the Empire routes to South Africa, India and the Far East...
- the precursor of British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
- opened their first service to Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
with flying boats, they appointed Jardines general agents, although they did not use agents at any other major city on their routes. After World War II, in association with BOAC
Boac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
, Jardines also successfully launched Hong Kong Airways, which held the rights to fly from Hong Kong into China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, to Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
and Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, and - jointly with Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its head office and main hub located at Hong Kong International Airport, although the airline's registered office is on the 33rd floor of One Pacific Place...
to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. With the great political change in China they lost the key route: Hugh Barton, later Taipan, flew from Shanghai on the last Hongkong Airways plane. And, after trying other ventures, including two Viscounts on the Philippine flights, Jardines eventually gave up Hong Kong Airways and sold off the rights to Cathay Pacific."
Legacy
JAMco was merged with Swire/Cathay PacificCathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its head office and main hub located at Hong Kong International Airport, although the airline's registered office is on the 33rd floor of One Pacific Place...
maintenance interests, to from HAECO
HAECO
The Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited , better known as HAECO , is a major provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services in Asia-Pacific. It has provided comprehensive aeronautical engineering services to airlines and operators since 1950...
, on 1 November 1950. After the merger of JAMCo to form HAECO
HAECO
The Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited , better known as HAECO , is a major provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services in Asia-Pacific. It has provided comprehensive aeronautical engineering services to airlines and operators since 1950...
Jardine did receive a parcel of HAECO
HAECO
The Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited , better known as HAECO , is a major provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services in Asia-Pacific. It has provided comprehensive aeronautical engineering services to airlines and operators since 1950...
shares but this gradually waned. HKA itself merged with Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its head office and main hub located at Hong Kong International Airport, although the airline's registered office is on the 33rd floor of One Pacific Place...
on 1 July 1959. Jardine Airways remained the exclusive General Sales Agent in Hong Kong for British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
until the year 2000. Another Jardine affiliate Eupo Air (欧亞) chartered seats for distribution primarily amongst the Chinese community on British Airways flights on the Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
route from 1983 to 2002, a similar partnership to that of HKA and Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines, Inc. was a major United States airline founded in 1926 and absorbed into Delta Air Lines by a merger approved on October 29, 2008, making Delta the largest airline in the world...
in the 1950s. Today (2006) Jardines aviation interests in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
are principally ground handling under the banner of Jardine Aviation Services
Jardine Aviation Services
Jardine Aviation Services Limited; JASL, formed in 1980, is a joint venture of Jardine Matheson Group and China National Aviation Corporation . But Jardines' involvement in Hong Kong aviation began as early as 1946...
, however, a small Eupo Air/Jardine Travel office does act as GSA for British Airways Holidays and is a large wholesaler of BA Special fares. The Swire Group 太古 is still (2007) the principal shareholder in Cathay Pacific. Dragonair is now owned by Cathay Pacific flying some of the routes originally pioneered by HKA. On this basis it can be concluded that the battle for Hong Kong aviation was roundly won by the Swire Group 太古.
Fleet
Hong Kong Airways operated a fleet of BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
built aircraft including:
- 1 Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
- 1 Douglas DC-4Douglas DC-4The Douglas DC-4 is a four-engined propeller-driven airliner developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It served during World War II, in the Berlin Airlift and into the 1960s in a military role...
- 2 De Havilland CometDe Havilland CometThe de Havilland DH 106 Comet was the world's first commercial jet airliner to reach production. Developed and manufactured by de Havilland at the Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom headquarters, it first flew in 1949 and was a landmark in aeronautical design...
- 1 Lockheed ConstellationLockheed ConstellationThe Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a...
- 4 Vickers ViscountVickers ViscountThe Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world...
V760D- VR-HFI leased from BOAC Associated Companies - sold to Malayan Airways in 1959
- VR-HFJ leased from BOAC Associated Companies - sold to Malayan Airways in 1959
Two Viscounts sold to Union of Burma Airways in 1959 one became XY-ADH
Destinations
- Republic of ChinaRepublic of ChinaThe Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
- CantonGuangzhouGuangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
– Pai Yuen Airport - ShanghaiShanghaiShanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
– Lunghwa Airport - FormosaFormosaFormosa or Ilha Formosa is a Portuguese historical name for Taiwan , literally meaning, "Beautiful Island". The term may also refer to:-Places:* Formosa Strait, another name for the Taiwan Strait...
- Canton
- Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
- Hong Kong – Kai Tak AirportKai Tak AirportKai Tak Airport was the international airport of Hong Kong from 1925 until 1998. It was officially known as the Hong Kong International Airport from 1954 to 6 July 1998, when it was closed and replaced by the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok, 30 km to the west...
Main hubAirline hubAn airline hub is an airport that an airline uses as a transfer point to get passengers to their intended destination. It is part of a hub and spoke model, where travelers moving between airports not served by direct flights change planes en route to their destinations...
- Hong Kong – Kai Tak Airport
- JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
- TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
- Tokyo
- Ryukyu Islands
- Okinawa
- PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
- ManilaManilaManila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
- Manila
- South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
- SeoulSeoulSeoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
- Seoul
Incidents and accidents
- On 11 July 1949, a Hong Kong Airways Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
(VR-HDQ) from Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
to CantonGuangzhouGuangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
, overran the runway during takeoff and crashed into the water. The aircraft sank after the rescue operations. There was 11 occupants on board the aircraft, three crew and eight passengers, with no fatalities reported.