ExclusiveGreater Bay Airlines’ hopes for 2021 launch dashed by Hong Kong inquiry set for late December
- The fledgling airline, which took delivery of its first aircraft on Tuesday, will now be unable to conduct a symbolic flight to Beijing on National Day
- Cathay Pacific says it has asked licensing authority to take into account the difficult operating environment created by the Covid-19 pandemic
Hong Kong air authorities will hold a private inquiry in late December into Greater Bay Airlines’ bid to become the city’s newest carrier, two sources have told the Post, a major delay that will derail the fledgling company’s hopes for a 2021 fourth-quarter launch.
Sources said the closed-door hearing would see the nine-member Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) panel dissect the carrier’s detailed submissions and weigh responses from rivals Cathay Pacific Group and Hong Kong Airlines.
After its first hearing on September 1, GBA was told there was likely to be a second hearing attended by the two carriers.
But deploying what people with knowledge of the event described as “stall tactics”, Cathay requested 28 days to prepare documents for the follow-up session.
ATLA subsequently decided to opt for a private inquiry that would be conducted in late December.
The intrigue ratchets up a brewing behind-the-scenes battle between Cathay Pacific and Greater Bay Airlines, as Hong Kong’s de facto flag carrier faces accusations of blocking the newcomer’s path to the skies.
At stake is a share of lucrative air routes to mainland China, Southeast Asia and beyond operating from one of the region’s busiest international airports.