Jetstar Hong Kong, the budget airline set up by China Eastern Airlines and Australia's Jetstar, has sought regulatory approval for a licence to operate air services from Hong Kong, a senior China Eastern executive confirmed.
Liu Shaoyong, chairman of China Eastern Airlines, said yesterday the joint venture had lodged an application for an operating licence, the air operator's certificate, with the Transport and Housing Bureau. He expected the application to be approved by the end of this year, ready for services to start next year.
'I am confident that the Hong Kong government will be supportive of the joint venture,' Liu said while attending the annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Beijing.
The certificate is a document certifying an operator is technically competent to operate an airline.
Jetstar Hong Kong would also need to obtain a licence from the Air Transport Licensing Authority before it could operate scheduled services to and from the city. In addition, it would need to be a designated Hong Kong carrier.
The US$198 million joint venture plans to operate short-haul routes from Hong Kong with three aircraft in the first half of next year. Liu said Jetstar Hong Kong and China Eastern would collaborate, but he declined to give further details.
It is expected that China Eastern will channel passengers from second- and third-tier mainland cities transiting Hong Kong to Jetstar Hong Kong's regional routes.