Beijing-linked rival Cathay Pacific has ordered a $ 1.8 million plane Aviation

Greater Bay Airlines has unveiled ambitious plans to fly to 104 destinations in mainland China and Asia.

A new Hong Kong-based Hong Kong airline is considering ordering 30 narrow-body aircraft from Boeing Co. or Airbus SE while Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd tries to establish itself in the dominant market.

Greater Bay Airlines, which is awaiting final approval for commercial passenger flights outside Hong Kong, is evaluating whether to choose a Boeing 737 Max 10 or an Airbus A321neos, according to a person with direct knowledge of the plan. That order could be $ 1.7 billion, according to estimates by Bloomberg News and Avitas Inc. using current aircraft prices.

The carrier, created by property tycoon Bill Wong, is talking to Boeing and Airbus, depending on the person, and asked to be identified as the matter is private. The timing and ultimately the size of the order depends on the state of Covid-19 in Hong Kong, the person said.

“We will continue to review the needs of our aircraft under dynamic market conditions that are consistent with customer needs and our deployment strategy,” said Jodie Lai, Chief Marketing Officer of Greater Bay Airlines, via email.

An Airbus spokesman said the company did not comment on the discussions with the airline. A Boeing representative declined to comment.

An ambitious plan

Greater Bay Airlines has set an ambitious plan to fly to 104 destinations in mainland China and much of Asia, although the Hong Kong base has maintained a rigid Covid-Zero strategy that threatens to ruin the state as an international hub and has fled. Cathay excited.

The initial carrier received its air operator’s certificate in October, allowing for charter and cargo flights. It will be able to launch commercial passenger services after the airline has approved an air transport license.

A new order from Boeing will see its 737 Max plane return to the skies of mainland China this month after a nearly three-year ban will help it take its place in Hong Kong, where Airbus dominates the single-aisle market. Winning Airbus would allow the European manufacturer to extend that advantage.

Greater Bay Airlines has leased a Boeing 737-8 aircraft. Donghai Airlines, on the border with its sister in Shenzhen, has Boeing’s entire single-aisle fleet. Wong is also the founder of Donghai Airlines. He is a member of China’s main political advisory body, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.