Hainan Airlines appears set to end Las Vegas and Calgary flights
Hainan Airlines is retrenching in Las Vegas and Calgary amid broader financial challenges and trade tensions.
The Chinese carrier will end flights between Beijing Capital (PEK) and Calgary (YYC) on Oct. 24, and Las Vegas (LAS) on Oct. 25, according to Diio by Cirium schedule data. Both routes operate three-times weekly with Boeing 787 aircraft.
Hainan will operate eight flights on the Beijing-Las Vegas route from Dec. 17 through Jan. 10 during the Christmas and New Years holidays, and the popular Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
Airline staff at the World Routes conference in Adelaide, Australia, referred questions to Hainan's headquarters, which was not immediately available for comment.
Related: Flying Hainan Airlines on the 787-9 From Beijing to Chicago
"We're in continuing dialog with the airline on future options," said Chris Jones, the chief marketing officer for Las Vegas airport, at World Routes. He confirmed Hainan's departure from McCarran airport.
Las Vegas is in discussions with Hainan on possibly resuming flights during the historically stronger summer season, Jones added.
Both the Calgary and Las Vegas routes are still loaded in schedules from next March, according to Diio. However, TPG understands that neither route is currently expected to resume in 2020.
Hainan's retrenchment on North American routes comes amid financial challenges for its parent HNA Group. The highly leveraged conglomerate has been forced to divest many of its investments to raise cash, including selling HK Express to Cathay Pacific Airways earlier this year and its stake in Azul in 2018.
Hainan is often described as HNA Group's flagship aviation asset.
In addition to the financial troubles at HNA, trade tensions between China and the U.S. has put pressure on demand for flights between the countries. United Airlines, the largest U.S. carrier to China, will reduce capacity to both Beijing and Shanghai Pudong (PVG) this winter due to the drop in demand.
Related: Where United Airlines is reducing (and adding) seats this winter
American Airlines ended flights to Beijing and Shanghai from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) in 2018.
Hainan will continue to serve Boston (BOS), Chicago, Los Angeles (LAX), New York John F. Kennedy (JFK), San Jose (SJC) in California, and Seattle (SEA) in the U.S., according to Diio schedules.
The carrier began flights to Calgary and Las Vegas in 2016, Diio data shows. Hainan operates the only nonstop flights between both cities and China.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app