The Hong Kong Express website was swamped on Tuesday, after the airline launched a campaign to give away 21,626 free air tickets to 19 Asian destinations.

The campaign is part of the Airport Authority's “World of Winners” promotion aimed at boosting post-pandemic tourism.

Thousands of netizens logged onto HK Express's website at 10:30am sharp – when the campaign started – but immediately found themselves on a page which said they’d have to queue for over an hour.

“If you are here to join the "World of Winners" with departure from Hong Kong, you're in the right place! Keep this page open, don't refresh, and enjoy a coffee break first”, the website said.

An RTHK reporter also tested the website and joined the queue, but the waiting time had not changed at all almost three hours into the wait.

The long queues sparked outrage online.

“I’ve waited for two hours and I haven’t moved a bit,” one person complained on social media.

The airline left its own message appealing for understanding, explaining that the long waits are due to the "overwhelming response" to the giveaway.

Other luckier participants said they were able to book tickets, with one user explaining how she managed to nab two tickets by using multiple browsers, and patiently waiting for more than three hours.

HK Express said by around 2.30pm, free tickets to eight destinations had been fully booked, though there were still spots available for popular travel spots such as Tokyo, Osaka, Busan, Chiang Mai and Kaohsiung.

The airline said later in the afternoon that all the free tickets have been snapped up.
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Last updated: 2023-07-11 HKT 18:52