Hong Kong's Government recently welcomed the city's Air Transport Licensing Authority's decision to grant a licence to Greater Bay Airlines (GBA), few months after it received its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) in December.

The Hong Kong government said in a statement that the approval demonstrates that the market has "full confidence" in Hong Kong's aviation industry.

Under the licence — issued on February 21 — until February 20, 2027, Greater Bay Airlines may operate scheduled journeys for the carriage in Hong Kong of passengers, cargo or mail over 104 routes at unlimited frequency from and to Hong Kong International Airport, one of the world's busiest hubs.

"The Government believes that Greater Bay Airlines will provide more diversified air services to the market and will further strengthen the air transport connectivity between Hong Kong, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other parts of the world," Hong Kong said in a statement, adding that this will play a positive role in upholding Hong Kong's status as a leading international aviation hub. 

Despite the pandemic which continues to dissipate the aviation industry, the Hong Kong government noted that  while Covid-19 persists, it will "continue to take forward anti-epidemic measures" together with the aviation industry and at the same time prepare for its recovery.

Greater Bay Airlines earlier noted that it was established in response to the 14th Five-Year Plan for national strategy to develop the Greater Bay Area in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, with the integration of Hong Kong into the overall development of the country.

GBA has applied for air transport license for 104 destinations across the region including Chinese Mainland, North Asia and Southeast Asia. It said then that it also aims to operate to Singapore, Bangkok and Phuket subject to regulatory approval and the pandemic situation.

Planned seven aircrafts by 2026

GBA has so far leased three Boeing 737-800 aircrafts which it plans to bring into operation. It said subject to its business expansion plan, the carrier is targeting to have seven aircrafts by end 2022.

"Our current fleet expansion is to have more than 30 aircrafts by 2026 subject to market environment and business recovery under the pandemic situation," the carrier said in December.