Former Dragonair chief returns with Oasis to compete against established carriers with cheap flights to Europe
A former chief executive of Hong Kong Dragon Airlines is to launch a new long-haul airline, with hopes of giving established carriers operating from Chek Lap Kok a run for their money in the budget tourism sector.
The new carrier - Oasis Hong Kong Airlines - aims to fly tour groups and value-conscious travellers to European destinations that are either not served from Hong Kong or priced too expensively for the average consumer.
Steve Miller, who ran Dragonair before it was taken over by Cathay Pacific Airways, will serve as the new carrier's chief executive. Although Mr Miller calls the new airline a low-cost carrier, it departs from the traditional business model in that he hopes to work with travel agents and tour groups, and avoid regional routes for long-haul destinations.
Oasis also plans to operate a small fleet of either Boeing 747-400 or Airbus A340-300 aircraft that will fly high frequencies to a handful of tourist gateways.
It aims to launch services to Europe by the end of this year, possibly expanding to North American cities by the end of next year.
