Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) is in search of leasing companies to obtain its first aircraft. The new Hong Kong-based start-up is expecting to commence services in summer 2021.
At the time when global airlines are experiencing worldwide downturn, Hong Kong tycoon Bill Wong Cho-bau (known as Huang Chubiao in mainland China), has plans to lease three Boeing 737-800 aircraft for its new airline start-up.
The multiple-airline owner Bill Wong is in talks with ICBC leasing company, among other lessors. So far, there are about 20 bidders and that around 100 aircraft have been offered, according to Flight Global.
“If I launch an airline in Hong Kong, I can make use of the synergy and network in the Greater Bay Area – from Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong – and gain the most out of it,” the founder of Greater Bay Airlines, Bill Wong via South China Morning Post.
In the exclusive interview with South China Morning Post, the Hong Kong mogul has said that the airline is about to spend US$258 million (HK$2 billion) on hiring staff and aircraft. Wong noted that the airline is looking to hire 300 new staff before it commences its operations.
The recent shutdown of Cathay Dragon opened up an opportunity for pilots who have been laid off to get a job at the new airline. “We would like to hire them ahead of schedule, because there are so many people unemployed and so many families affected,” Bill Wong said.