Chongqing, China secures mass commitments to cargo hub plan

CAAC awards Hong Kong’s Greater Bay Airlines mainland rights

Having launched its first passenger service - between Hong Kong Int'l and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi - at the end of July, start-up Greater Bay Airlines (HB, Hong Kong Int'l) has now obtained Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) approval to start five routes to mainland China.

According to the ch-aviation capacities and ch-aviation fleets advanced modules, Greater Bay Airlines currently operates two B737-800s and one scheduled route, to the Thai capital, 2x weekly.

The carrier is now also licensed to carry passengers and cargo between Hong Kong and both Beijing and Shanghai Pudong from October 1, up to 7x weekly each. Next will be Hong Kong-Hangzhou, expected to start at the earliest on February 1, 2023, while the inaugural dates for routes to Chengdu Shuangliu and Wuhan are anticipated as August 1 and November 1 next year, respectively.

According CAAC requirements, the airline will need to make various preparations before each launch including specific route details and take-off and landing times.

Greater Bay Airlines will...

Turkey's Air Anka to launch with two A330-200s

China's Sichuan Airlines ventures into P2F conversions

UK's Sentra Airways secures first aircraft, an A330-200

UK startup Sentra Airways (Manchester Int'l) will take delivery of its first aircraft this summer - a used A330-200 on long-term lease from Air Lease Corporation, the lessor announced. ch-aviation has learned that the jet in question is msn 1138, a 12-year-old jet last in service with Sichuan Airlines (3U, Chengdu Shuangliu) as B-6517. It is currently parked at Chengdu Shuangliu having conducted its last commercial flight on March 11.

Operating from Manchester Int'l, Sentra Airways plans to debut in the third/fourth quarter of 2022, offering niche point-to-point scheduled flights between the UK and West Africa, the company said in a statement. It is currently completing its certification with the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The launch destination will be Accra, Ghana, with more routes to follow, including other destinations in Africa and the USA. Its head office is located on the outskirts of Bradford in the north of England.

According to the company registrar for England and Wales, the company was incorporated (company number 11903393) on March...