New Cathay rival considering possible $1.8b plane order

A new Hong Kong-based airline with ties to Beijing is considering ordering up to 30 narrow-body jets from either Boeing or Airbus as it tries to establish itself in a market dominated by Cathay Pacific. Greater Bay Airlines, which is awaiting final approval to operate commercial passenger flights out of Hong Kong, is assessing whether to opt for Boeing’s 737 Max 10 model jets or Airbus’s A321neos, a person with direct knowledge of the plan said. Such an order could amount to as much as $1.77b. The carrier, founded by property magnate Bill Wong, is in talks with both Boeing and Airbus, according the person, who asked not to be identified as the matter is private. The timing and eventual size of the order depends on the Covid-19 situation in Hong Kong, the person said. “We shall continue to revisit our aircraft needs to match with customer needs and our expansion strategy under the dynamic market conditions,” Jodie Lai, head of marketing at Greater Bay Airlines, said by email. Greater Bay Airlines has laid out an ambitious plan to fly to 104 destinations in mainland China and much of Asia, even as its Hong Kong base sticks to a rigid Covid-Zero strategy that threatens to wreck the city’s status as an international hub and has left Cathay reeling. <br/>