HK to Singapore flight dropped just two weeks after launch

Wallis Wang

Hong Kong-based Greater Bay Airlines announced the suspension of the direct flight to Singapore, just two weeks after it took off on April 26. The suspension starts on June 1.

The budget airline only said it was a commercial decision after considering the latest market situation. In a statement yesterday, GBA apologized for the inconvenience to passengers and said it will offer them a free round-trip ticket.

"To minimize the possible impact, we will directly contact our passengers to make rebooking, rerouting or refund arrangements, and all the associated fees will be waived," the airline said.

"In addition, a free round-trip ticket to any GBA scheduled service destination will be provided to each of our HK passengers who are affected by the flight consolidation or cancellation as a token of apology and appreciation for their support."

It said it will learn from the experience and "strive to explore new destinations, enhance services of existing routes and collaborate with travel agencies on charter business."

Law Cheung-kwok, senior adviser at Chinese University's Aviation Policy and Research Centre, said it is rare for an airline to suspend a route after only two weeks in operation.

He said such a decision appears to show the airline failed in the calculations and route planning before the launch.

"[The airline] should have looked at the longer term and made plans at least one-and-a-half years in advance," he said. "It is not like selling peanuts."

Law said other airlines - including Hong Kong's flag carrier Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and Singaporean budget airline Scoot - operate direct flights between the two locations, and the market is already saturated.

If travelers wish to transit in Singapore and head to Europe, they can only take Singapore Airlines, he added.

"It's not easy for Greater Bay Airlines to compete with a local carrier," Law said.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com