Greater Bay Airlines planned to launch flight to Singapore in the fourth quarter of 2021, plan deferred

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

According to Hong Kong media reports, the license application of the Greater Bay Airlines still needs to be approved by the Hong Kong Air Transport Licensing Authority. However, it is reported that due to complaints made by Cathay Pacific, the Air Transport Licensing Authority needs to hold a closed-door hearing on the license application of the Greater Bay Airlines, review the information submitted by it, and weigh the opinions of other local airlines. The closed-door hearing has been scheduled to be held at the end of December. Before the completion of the hearing and the approval of the license, Greater Bay Airlines failed to operate scheduled flights, which means that it may be hopeless for Greater Bay Area Airlines to launch operations this year.

Cathay Pacific said that although it did not object to the application of the Greater Bay Airlines, it admitted that it had lodged a complaint with the Air Transport Licensing Authority and believed that when approving any application for air services, it must consider the current difficult operating environment faced by the local air service industry. In the Greater Bay Airlines' license application, the Air Licensing Board has listed Cathay Pacific as a party of interest.

Cathay Pacific stated that it will cooperate with the Air Transport Licensing Authority in handling applications for aviation licenses in the Greater Bay Area and all appropriate procedures for related representations. Cathay Pacific also stated that the aviation industry has always been highly competitive and is currently competing with more than a hundred airlines. It understands that a vibrant aviation service market is essential for Hong Kong to continue to become a leading international aviation hub.

The Air Licensing Board stated that it is currently processing applications for licenses from Greater Bay Airlines in accordance with the Air Transport (Air Service Licence) Regulations and other relevant laws. If a decision is made, it will be published in the Gazette in accordance with the law. As for the hearing arrangements, it is still to be decided after the Licensing Authority and other relevant agencies, including the Greater Bay Airlines, negotiate. The Empty Licensing Board pointed out that in order not to affect the work, the current license application for the Greater Bay Area Airlines has no further supplements.

Greater Bay Airlines announced earlier that it plans to launch routes to Singapore, Bangkok and Phuket in the fourth quarter of 2021. The airline's first passenger plane flew from Kazakhstan’s Astana International Airport to Hong Kong International Airport on the 7th.