Greater Bay Air considers ‘sizable’ order from Boeing or Airbus

Greater Bay Airlines Co. is edging closer to a final decision on which aircraft it will add to its fleet, with a “sizable” order much more likely to go to the manufacturer that can provide the jets the soonest. 

The new Hong Kong-based airline is in talks with both Airbus SE and Boeing Co. and wants to bring in next generation aircraft to dovetail with its expansion “as early as we can,” Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hui said in an interview with Bloomberg News.

“If we are looking at deliveries in 2024-2025, a decision has to be made in the foreseeable future,” said Hui, who was appointed CEO in June. 

Greater Bay Airlines currently operates three second-hand leased Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, with plans to add at least two more before summer 2023, Hui said. A person familiar with the matter said earlier this year that the carrier was considering ordering up to 30 narrowbody jets. 

Founded by property magnate Bill Wong, Greater Bay Airlines started services to Bangkok in July. It plans to introduce daily flights to Taipei in December and Tokyo in January. 

Boeing hasn’t offered the airline any 737 Max aircraft that were initially slated to go to Chinese carriers but haven’t been delivered, Hui said.