The Callsign of Hong Kong Airlines Is BAUHINIA

In aviation, a callsign is a unique identifier assigned to an airline for use by pilots and air traffic controllers during radio communications. This ensures aircraft can be distinctively recognized both in the sky and on the ground. For instance, the callsign for Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s largest airline, is CATHAY—a direct reference to the company’s name.

While most airlines choose a callsign that readily reflects their brand, Hong Kong Airlines opted for a different approach. Founded in 2001, the carrier initially operated as CR Airways (China Rich Airways). However, when the Hainan Airlines Group acquired and rebranded the company to Hong Kong Airlines in 2006, they changed its telephony callsign to BAUHINIA.

To anyone unfamiliar with Hong Kong, this name might seem puzzling. Yet, the callsign BAUHINIA deeply reflects the company’s local identity. Bauhinia blakeana, the flower after which the callsign is named, is a hybrid that originated in Hong Kong and serves as the city's official emblem. In fact, it is commonly nicknamed the Hong Kong orchid tree flower. To solidify this connection to its hometown, the airline features a stylized red bauhinia flower as its logo, proudly displayed on the tails of its entire fleet.