Hong Kong's Greater Bay Airlines takes flight, but without fanfare

The first scheduled passenger flight by Greater Bay Airlines took off from Hong Kong to Bangkok over the weekend. What was supposed to be a ceremonious day for the brand-new carrier based in the regional aviation hub instead offered no pomp, not even a news release. GBA's Boeing 737-800 aircraft lifted off from Hong Kong International Airport on Saturday morning as scheduled and made a return flight that evening. Even though it was the first scheduled flight for the airline, and in the works for two years, it went off without traditional lion dances, ribbon cutting or speeches. Jodie Lai, head of marketing and customer experience at GBA, told Nikkei Asia on Monday that she is not able to share how many passengers were on board for the maiden flight "for commercial reasons." Local media reported there were "only a few people checking in at the counter." Lai said that the airline "decided to avoid organizing any event that [on Saturday might have resulted] in group gatherings in public places," owing to the pandemic and the city's social distancing requirements. She confirmed that no news release, statements nor photos will be issued. The new airline did not kick off the way CEO Stanley Hui had wanted. "I would just say we have not expected it to be a commercial success, far from it," he said on the eve of the first scheduled flight. He pointed to the seven-day hotel quarantine requirement for anyone coming or returning to Hong Kong, with an exception of mainland China. The restriction is sapping the willingness to travel in and out of the city. But might it also have convinced GBA executives to postpone the first scheduled flights? "We have to start somewhere, despite knowing passenger demand will be minimal," Hui said, adding that the airline has been preparing for its launch for over two years.<br/>