Cathay Pacific’s rival Greater Bay Airlines is reportedly in talks with both Airbus and Boeing to purchase at least 30 narrow-body aircraft valued at $1.8 billion, a source familiar with the matter told Bloomberg on January 17, 2022.
According to the report, Hong Kong’s newest airline is currently deciding between the Airbus A321neos or the Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets.
Having leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft, registered as B-KJA, in its fleet, the new airline aims to launch operations in the second quarter of 2022. GBA had initially hoped to launch in summer 2021 but experienced delays with receiving its air operator’s certificate (AOC) and the necessary license approval.
The carrier plans to operate flights from Hong Kong to Mainland China, North Asia and Southeast Asian destinations.
On October 8, 2021, the airline received its AOC from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) and became the eighth carrier in Hong Kong.
Greater Bay Airlines is backed by Bill Wong Cho-bau (known as Huang Chubiao in Mainland China), who is also the founder of Shenzhen-based Donghai Airlines.