HK Express delays start of Guam-Nagoya flights after North Korea missile test

Five weeks after announcing its new Guam-Nagoya route, HK Express said it's delaying the flights until next summer, "in view of geopolitical concerns in the region."

The company made the announcement the same day North Korea launched an intermediate-range missile over northern Japan. The missile reportedly flew for about 19 minutes, reaching a distance of about 2,300 miles. Guam is located about 2,100 miles from North Korea's capital of Pyongyang.

The cancellation is the latest economic wound to the island as a result of ongoing tensions between the United States and North Korea.

The Guam Visitors Bureau reported there were 7,426 cancellations from tours, school groups and business ventures, mainly from Japan, in August. Total losses to the tourism industry were $9.5 million for the month, the agency reported.

Island officials have assured the public that Guam is safe and well-protected from attack, but Pilar Laguana, Guam Visitors Bureau global marketing director, said earlier this month that "it's hard to change the perception of visitors that now see Guam as risky."

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HK Express flights between Guam and Nagoya, Japan, were scheduled to begin Oct. 29. The airline plans to begin servicing the route next summer, according to the statement. The company is offering refunds to customers who purchased tickets.

Disappointed

Cheysser Rodriguez of Yigo, who had a family Thanksgiving trip planned, learned of the cancellation by email. Rodriguez and her mother bought round-trip tickets for $160 each, while her two siblings bought tickets for $250 each, she said.

"It was supposed to be their first time to explore Japan," Rodriguez said. "They were already very excited since I showed them what Nagoya and Osaka have to offer. It was difficult to explain that our plans were canceled."

They now plan to spend Thanksgiving on island with extended family, Rodriguez said.

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The company is contacting affected customers by email and text messages. As an alternative to refunding tickets, the airline is offering a destination change or free transfers to United Airlines flights — but those options don't apply to Guam-based customers.

"HK Express deeply apologises (sic) for the inconvenience caused and is looking to resume the service next year during the summer holiday period," the company stated.

Second route cancellation

In late June, HK Express suspend flight services between Guam and Hong Kong. The airline began direct flights to Guam last December.

Prior to that, the airline had expressed concerns about operational costs, according to the Guam Visitors Bureau.

"HK Express shared that passenger demand was good but operational costs were high," GVB President and CEO Nathan Denight said following the June cancellation.

Rodriguez isn't sure if she will book with the airline again if it resumes services from Guam.

"I'm tempted because of the cheap prices, but I know this is the second time that they canceled their services to Guam," she said. "And I want to see first how smooth and fast their refund process is."