[7][8] It provides scheduled air service to 27 destinations in Asia, including China, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

[13] In April 2005, the airline was granted permission to transport passengers, cargo and mail from Hong Kong to selected destinations in China and permitted to apply for traffic rights to serve 15 Chinese cities.

[14] The next month, it received approval to operate scheduled air services to five cities in China, including Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Ningbo.

[16] The same month, it took delivery of its first of four 76-seat twin-jet Embraer 170, leased from General Electric Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS), and became the Asian launch operator of this regional jet.

[16][20] On 19 November 2005, Hong Kong Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) granted the airline additional licences to operate scheduled services to 16 destinations in mainland China, as well as Koh Samui, Okinawa, Siem Reap and Taichung.

[22][23] On 23 January 2008, the airline was the third Hong Kong carrier permitted by the Civil Aviation Department to operate flights to and from Beijing and Shanghai.

[27][28] On 9 November 2017, HK Express was banned by the Civil Aviation Department from adding new flights, routes or aircraft until 30 April 2018.

[32] Cathay Pacific executives confirmed in late February 2019 that it was in "active discussions" about its interest of a full or partial takeover of HK Express from current owner HNA Group, although an agreement had yet to be reached at the time.

[citation needed] By the time the acquisition transaction is completed, HK Express will become Cathay Pacific's wholly owned subsidiary.

[35] However, according to the announcement, a firm of solicitors acting for a shareholder of an intermediate holding company of HK Express, has contested the seller's entry into an agreement for the transaction.

The contesting party is widely believed to be the chairman and the major shareholder of HK Express, Zhong Guosong, who has clarified that he has no intention to sell the company and will potentially launch legal action regarding the sale.

[citation needed] In November 2019, Cathay Pacific announced that Hong Kong Express will receive 16 Airbus A321neo aircraft with expected deliveries from 2022 onwards.

[88] HK Express has previously operated the following aircraft:[citation needed] The first livery features a white fuselage with a blue engine and wingtip.

The Civil Aviation Department was unsatisfied by the behaviour of HK Express, and required the airline to submit a detailed report regarding the causes, short-term and long-term solutions to the incidents.

In July 2018, HK Express was found posting advertisements under street signposts, with QR codes available for citizens to scan to get information and participate in games to win prizes.

District council members said that these materials might cause chaos and mislead citizens, due to the fact that Highways Department strictly prohibits organisations from posting anything on their signposts.