Hong Kong Airlines is to axe its all-business-class service between London Gatwick and Hong Kong from 10 September, citing the weak economic outlook in Europe.

It will now offer the three specially configured 116-seat Airbus A330-200s deployed on the route to the charter market, says the airline.

"We believe that a regional model focused on Asia-Pacific is most appropriate for Hong Kong Airlines at this stage of our growth," says airline president Yang Jian Hong in a statement.

"Our key focus will be building our regional network and strengthening our business across China, Southeast Asia, Japan and Korea.

"As part of this decision, we will suspend our long-haul flights to London from 10 September 2012 until further notice."

The service had been operational for five months.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news