Hong Kong’s transport minister has likened Greater Bay Airlines to an infant that needs assistance learning to walk, after the low-cost carrier cancelled 128 flights scheduled for February and March.

Talking to the press during a media luncheon on Thursday, Chan said the incident reflected the carrier’s strategy as a budget airline, its flight scheduling, and the sustainability of its finances. The government will review the issues after it has received a report from the airline, according to Sing Tao Daily.

An aircraft of Greater Bay Airlines. File photo: Greater Bay Airlines.
An aircraft of Greater Bay Airlines. File photo: Greater Bay Airlines.

“The carrier is a small-scale one, and just like a newborn baby… as they start learning to walk, they need assistance to identify problems,” Chan said in Cantonese when asked by reporters whether the carrier would be penalised over the mass cancellations.

The official added that the government did not favour any specific company, but treated each company in the industry equally.

Greater Bay Airlines, a budget carrier that launched its inaugural flight in July 2022, announced on Wednesday that it would cancel 128 flights in February and March, affecting around 5,500 passengers.

The company attributed the cancellations to a “delay in new aircraft delivery and the need for regular inspection for some of our existing aircraft.”

Commissioner for Transport Mable ChanCommissioner for Transport Mable Chan
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan. File Photo: GovHK.

The carrier also said that it would be suspending flight services between Hong Kong and Seoul because of unsatisfactory “business performance.”

Founded by Hong Kong businessman Bill Wong, the carrier mainly offers short-haul flights between Hong Kong and Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and mainland China.

Passengers’ complaint

Gilly Wong, chief executive of the Consumer Council, said on RTHK on Friday morning that the group had received six complaints linked to the cancellation of Greater Bay Airlines flights, which involved a total of HK$14,000.

One complaint involved a passenger who had bought flights to Yonago, Wong said, adding that Greater Bay Airlines was the only airline that provided a direct route from Hong Kong to the Japanese city.

Travellers in the Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: GovHK.Travellers in the Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: GovHK.
Travellers in the Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: GovHK.

Another complaint related to a change to the arrival time of a flight to Thailand, with the complainant worried about their personal safety if they had to arrive at night.

Additionally, some passengers who bought their tickets through travel agencies were told they would have to wait three to six months for refunds, Wong said.

Wong urged Greater Bay Airlines to respond to passengers in a more timely manner and to waive any extra fees for passengers whose flights have been cancelled and wished to change their destinations.

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