Greater Bay Airlines has recently launched flights to Zhoushan, a city in China known for the sacred Buddhist site of Mount Putuo, with the inaugural flight taking place on November 7, 2024. This new route marks the airline as the only carrier offering direct flights to Zhoushan, operating return flights every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, with a flight duration of approximately two hours [b726a816].
In addition to Zhoushan, the airline is set to expand its services further by adding routes to Tokushima on November 16, Huangshan on December 4, and Sendai on December 7, 2024. CEO Liza Ng Shiow-lan emphasized that the airline is targeting less-traveled routes across China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, aiming to attract Buddhist pilgrims and city dwellers seeking retreats [b726a816].
The launch of flights to Zhoushan follows the recent introduction of flights to Yonago, Japan, which began in late October 2024. These flights operate three times a week and are part of the airline's strategy to expand its presence in the competitive airline market. Greater Bay Airlines has seen ridership surpass 1 million in August 2024, reflecting a growing interest in air travel among Hong Kong residents [eb8dbbcb].
The demand for travel to Japan remains robust, with 1.97 million visitors from Hong Kong recorded in the first nine months of 2024. Hong Kong tourists typically spend an average of 240,000 yen (around US$1,600) per trip, with about 20% of Tottori's tourists coming from Hong Kong [eb8dbbcb].
As Greater Bay Airlines continues to expand its routes, it is positioning itself as a key player in the regional airline industry, catering to the needs of travelers looking for new and unique destinations [b726a816].