Yet another possible stab in the back for Hong Kong's national airline, Cathay Pacific ? This is what it looks like the award by Hong Kong's Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) of a flight licence to operate 104 air routes.
Greater Bay Airlines is an airline owned by a property tycoon from mainland China. Chinese Bill Wong Cho-bau already owns an airline in mainland China, Donghai Airlines, based in Shenzhen. The new carrier has received a licence valid for 5 years. to operate flights. In this first package, Greater Bay Airlines will be able to serve 48 cities in the People's Republic of China, 13 in Japan and six in Thailand.. It should also obtain traffic rights to around ten Korean cities.
The airline's CEO, Algernon Yau Ying-wah, is a former member of Cathay's regional subsidiary, Cathay Dragon. The licence granted is valid immediately and the CEO of Greater Bay Airlines wants to start flying as soon as possible.
The Hong Kong government welcomed the approval, stating that the decision demonstrates that the market has full confidence in the prospects for the aerospace industry in Hong Kong. "
Greater Bay Airlines, the Chinese government's air arm in Hong Kong?
" The Government believes that Greater Bay Airlines will provide more diversified air services to the market and further enhance air transport connectivity between Hong Kong, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other parts of the world." added a press release. " This will play a positive role in maintaining Hong Kong's status as a leading international aviation hub.. "
Greater Bay Airlines currently has one Boeing 737-800 aircraft and expects to receive two more in the coming weeks.. The airline is also looking to acquire a further 30 short/medium-haul aircraft. This should put it in direct competition with Cathay, particularly on routes to Japan and Thailand.
