Greater Bay Airlines must learn to walk before it can run - or fly

Figures sometimes speak for themselves.

Tung Chung-based Greater Bay Airlines has canceled 128 scheduled flights in February and March, affecting a total of 5,500 passengers.

That works out at a little under 43 passengers affected per flight on average.

While flight movements are expected to peak during the Lunar New Year break, the rest of February and March will be rather quiet.

Although it is still a surprise to learn GB Airlines has had to cancel so many flights after completing its LNY services without a problem, it is not a total surprise to see flights scheduled for the low season being sacrificed.

That said, it is not suggested that the airline's decision was wrong.

Rather, it is down to the difficult business environment facing a young carrier that seems to be taking special pride in positioning itself as neither a budget airline nor a top carrier like Cathay Pacific.

Aircraft delivery delays - one of the factors emphasized by GB Airlines chief executive Liza Ng Shiow-lan yesterday - are not uncommon in the aviation industry, especially when it comes to Boeing, which has gone through a series of issues in recent years.

But, even as the carrier ordered new planes from Boeing and expected it to deliver the first jet of its order of 15 Boeing 737-9 aircraft, its management should already have started planning for the worst while hoping for the best.

This may sound ridiculous but it is the reality facing the industry - and the blame lies squarely with Boeing for missing scheduled deliveries.

Another issue facing the industry right now is a shortage of parts, which is a major headache for most carriers.

Transport Secretary Mable Chan said GB Airlines has room for improvement and, with the benefit of hindsight, the carrier could have done better in forward planning since delivery delays and maintenance issues do not happen out of the blue.

For example, maintenance-related inspections are mostly scheduled, except in emergency circumstances.

British Airways, for example, has received a slew of complaints of late due to maintenance issues.

There have been occasions of late when boarded passengers had to wait on the tarmac for several hours due to the last-minute discovery of parts that had to be replaced.

Indeed, the shortage of parts has complicated the operation of all airlines.

GB Airlines was established in 2022 in the midst of the pandemic. It was a brave decision as the industry back then still faced an uncertain future and the city's pride, Cathay Pacific, had to be bailed out by the Hong Kong government only two years ago.

While GB Airlines investors should be given the credit for giving Hongkongers one more choice as they plan to fly to the mainland and other cities in the region, the operator appears to be too ambitious in trying to quickly expand its fleet and routes.

As a result, it is ironic that it is ending its service to Seoul soon after launching it due to poor performance.

Chan said the carrier needs to restore consumers' confidence in it. Yes, it can be dangerous to try to run before it can walk.