Be careful what you say about Hong Kong Airlines. The carrier has warned that it will sue those who spread false information about its financial health.
You might ask how Hong Kong Airlines is doing? Is the carrier making money? Does the carrier have cash on reserve.
Nope. Don’t even bother. Their lips are sealed.
As a private company, Hong Kong Airlines does not disclose its financial performance publicly nor comment on market rumours or media speculation.
But its parent company, HNA Group, has faced extremely daunting financial pressure lately. As a result, many analysists question the viability of the group’s investment in Hong Kong Airlines. Rumors are swirling that HNA Group wants to unload its investment in Hong Kong Airlines.
In response, Hong Kong Airlines is threatening anyone who speculates that the airline may go under.
We deplore the untrue and groundless speculations about Hong Kong Airlines ceasing operation and applying for liquidation. We reserve the right to take legal action against those who deliberately create these rumors.
The company has been and is continuing to operate as normal. We remain committed to offering our best service to customers who have chosen to support and fly with us.
Like One Mile at a Time, I tend to think the company would be happy to boast about its financial health if it it were in good condition. Using statements like we continue to ” operate as normal” does not exactly inspire confidence. That said, I would feel comfortable buying tickets on Hong Kong Airlines. In fact, after my trip to Hong Kong and Bangkok in November, I recommend it.
Note the narrowness of the threat. Hong Kong is reserving the right to sue only those “who deliberately create” false rumors. That would be like me creating a post entitled, “Hong Kong Airlines Close To Liquidation!” That’s quite different than this type of analysis.
CONCLUSION
As a privately held company, Hong Kong Airlines does not owe the public financial transparency. But its threat to sue people, though logical, has the negative affect of actually inviting the very thing the airline doesn’t want: rumors of financial sickness.
Matthew, do you remember how long it took for the fortune wings points to post after your flight?
Thank you
Matthew do you remember how long it took for the fortune wings points to post in your account?
Thank you
I never credited them. 🙁
Thank you
Sorry for the double posting
Personally, I’d take the approach from the old “Civilization” computer game: “we ignore your feeble threats”.
Another one on the already long boycott list. Sadly, the only language they understand …
See: Streisand Effect.
HX would be disappointed to hear what is business as usual in Communist China is frowned upon most other places in the world.