World’s first long-haul budget airline gets off to a bumpy ride

HONG KONG – Oasis Airlines, which promotes itself as the world’s first long-haul budget airline, was getting off to a bumpy start on its inaugural cut-price flight from Hong Kong yesterday.

One of Oasis’ two leased Boeing 747 jumbos was due to be airborne at 1:00pm (0500 GMT) but has been delayed by more than four hours due to a last-minute hold-up in approval to overfly Russian aerospace, the airline said. “We have learned that despite all paper being in order and having received all necessary approvals, the Russia authority, for unexplained reasons, have chosen to now hold up the overflight rights,” it said in a statement.The carrier said it is in direct contact with the Russia authority to get it off the ground as soon as possible.Two other European-bound flights were also delayed by around an hour Wednesday, according to the Airport Authority.The Civil Aviation department said the traffic in Europe has been busy.A full complement of more than 300 passengers, including the airline’s top management, was bound for London’s Gatwick Airport.Economy passengers were paying just 1 000 Hong Kong dollars (US$128) for the one-way journey, a special introductory offer that will last until December 14.”Our vision is to give Hong Kong high-quality, low-fare and direct flight services,” said Oasis chairman Raymond Lee at the launch.Industry analysts are watching Oasis closely as it competes against Asia’s leading airline Cathay and Britain’s established British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, which charge at least double the price on the same route.Oasis promises full-value service at budget prices – serving two hot meals and complementary tea, coffee and water with soft drinks, snacks and alcohol available for purchase in the economy class.Both economy and business classes have personal seat-back TV with a choice of up to 16 video entertainment channels, offering films including last year’s “Batman Begins” and “Oceans 12″ from 2004.Passenger Maria Chau said she had never been to London before and only decided to go because of the Oasis offer.”I thought I’d book it because the price is so low,” Chau said as she checked in her baggage.”I’m very excited.”The carrier said it hopes the ticket price will remain 30-40 per cent lower than other major airlines after its promotional period.Lee said the airline is actively seeking to increase its fleet to five in its first year of operation, hoping to bring this up to 25 planes in five years.Lee believes it will take 12-18 months for the carrier to break even.Oasis boasts an average of 500 bookings daily since it began taking reservations in September and expects ticket sales to reach more than 55 000 in the first quarter and 190 000 in its first year.Nampa-AFP”We have learned that despite all paper being in order and having received all necessary approvals, the Russia authority, for unexplained reasons, have chosen to now hold up the overflight rights,” it said in a statement.The carrier said it is in direct contact with the Russia authority to get it off the ground as soon as possible.Two other European-bound flights were also delayed by around an hour Wednesday, according to the Airport Authority.The Civil Aviation department said the traffic in Europe has been busy.A full complement of more than 300 passengers, including the airline’s top management, was bound for London’s Gatwick Airport.Economy passengers were paying just 1 000 Hong Kong dollars (US$128) for the one-way journey, a special introductory offer that will last until December 14.”Our vision is to give Hong Kong high-quality, low-fare and direct flight services,” said Oasis chairman Raymond Lee at the launch.Industry analysts are watching Oasis closely as it competes against Asia’s leading airline Cathay and Britain’s established British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, which charge at least double the price on the same route.Oasis promises full-value service at budget prices – serving two hot meals and complementary tea, coffee and water with soft drinks, snacks and alcohol available for purchase in the economy class.Both economy and business classes have personal seat-back TV with a choice of up to 16 video entertainment channels, offering films including last year’s “Batman Begins” and “Oceans 12″ from 2004.Passenger Maria Chau said she had never been to London before and only decided to go because of the Oasis offer.”I thought I’d book it because the price is so low,” Chau said as she checked in her baggage.”I’m very excited.”The carrier said it hopes the ticket price will remain 30-40 per cent lower than other major airlines after its promotional period.Lee said the airline is actively seeking to increase its fleet to five in its first year of operation, hoping to bring this up to 25 planes in five years.Lee believes it will take 12-18 months for the carrier to break even.Oasis boasts an average of 500 bookings daily since it began taking reservations in September and expects ticket sales to reach more than 55 000 in the first quarter and 190 000 in its first year.Nampa-AFP