Hong Kong's Transport Secretary, Mable Chan, has raised serious concerns following significant flight cancellations by Greater Bay Airlines. The airline recently announced the cancellation of 128 flights affecting approximately 5,500 passengers over the next two months. Chan has demanded a detailed report from the carrier within one week, emphasizing the necessity to uphold passengers' rights and minimize their inconvenience.

The airline attributed its operational woes to delays in the delivery of newly ordered Boeing aircraft, as well as the need for existing planes to undergo scheduled safety inspections. In a statement, Greater Bay Airlines apologized to affected travelers, asserting their commitment to contact impacted customers for rebooking or refunds, while waiving all related fees. In line with providing timely customer service, the airline has allocated more staff to handle the increasing demand due to the cancellations.

Chan expressed her concerns during a meeting with the airline's management, reinforcing the importance of maintaining a smooth operation at the Hong Kong airport. "The aviation industry's health depends on the synergy among all airlines, particularly local carriers relevant to our travel ecosystem," she stated.

The airline's troubles echoed past issues faced by other carriers; notably, Cathay Pacific Airways had to cancel nearly 800 flights between December 2023 and February 2024 due to pilot illnesses and recruitment challenges. In contrast, the severity of current interruptions has raised alarms among travel agencies, some of which had planned group tours affected by these cancellations.

Aviation analyst Li Hanming noted that the production capacity for aircraft has significantly dwindled, leading to broader implications across the aviation industry, affecting not only Hong Kong but potentially global operations. Furthermore, Greater Bay Airlines revealed plans to suspend its often underperforming Seoul route, part of an overall strategy to streamline operations.

While the airline continues to manage the fallout, it remains committed to learning from this experience. An internal review identified "negligence" in their flight scheduling process, prompting immediate changes to improve approval procedures for future scheduling.

The situation remains dynamic as the Transport and Logistics Bureau stands firm on its position, calling for transparent dialogue and accountability from the airline. Chan's focus continues to be on ensuring that the rights of passengers are prioritized amidst operational challenges. As Greater Bay Airlines vows to refine its operations moving forward, the public eagerly anticipates further updates.

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