Hong Kong airline’s growth plan includes new order for North Charleston Boeings

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A young Hong Kong-based carrier is buying Boeing airplanes to build its business.

Greater Bay Airlines and Boeing today announced an order for 15 737-9 airplanes in an agreement that includes a commitment for five 787 Dreamliners to support GBA's long-term plan to launch international long-haul service.

The airline, which began scheduled service in July 2022, has a plan to develop an extensive network of air services to major cities in Asia and mainland China from Hong Kong, the company said in a news release. Greater Bay’s entire fleet is Boeing aircraft, with the 737-9 forming the “backbone” of the fleet and the North Charleston-made Dreamliners coming later.

“The 737-9 will allow GBA to open up new routes from Hong Kong with unmatched economics," Wong Cho Bau, chairman of GBA, said in the news release. “The new order will bring fantastic growth possibilities to GBA and enable us to strive for excellence in an innovative way for our valued customers.”

GBA operates a fleet of three 737-800 jets with flights to four destinations: Bangkok, Taipei, Tokyo and Seoul. The airline also plans to bring in a number of additional 737-800s to meet its expansion needs before the arrival of the 737-9, the release said

"GBA's commitment for 737-9s is a major endorsement of our 737 MAX family and its ability to serve new markets," Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in the release. "The 737-9 will provide GBA with unmatched efficiency and reliability and lower operating costs, while continuing to provide a premium on-board experience for its passengers."

The 737-9 is designed to seat more than 190 passengers in a two-class configuration with a range of 3,300 nautical miles, providing operators added capacity and increased profitability within their network.

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