Battle for Hong Kong Airlines Highlights Financial Trouble, Disputes at HNA Holdings

Battle for Hong Kong Airlines Highlights Financial Trouble, Disputes at HNA Holdings
A Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A330-300 descends before landing at Hong Kong Airport in Hong Kong, China on April 4, 2018. Bobby Yip/Reuters
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HONG KONG—Shareholders summoned by Hong Kong Airlines this month for a meeting were greeted with some shocking news: The airline needed at least HK$2 billion in fresh funds or it would lose its operating license.

The carrier had lost HK$3 billion ($382.54 million) in 2018, they were told, and an infusion was crucial, according to people present.