SINGAPORE—Delays in the delivery of new Boeing 737-9s to Hong Kong-based Greater Bay Airlines and issues maintaining the carrier’s current 737-800s have led to the cancellation of 128 flights, the airline said Jan. 22.
An internal investigation found there had been “negligence” in its flight scheduling process, which appears to have overestimated Greater Bay Airlines’ capacity.
Greater Bay Airlines said 128 flights, or 64 round trip flights, in February and March 2025 have now been canceled, affecting 5,500 passengers. Local press reports suggest more flights could be cut.
The incident has caught the attention of the Hong Kong government. Transport and Logistics Bureau chief Mable Chan has expressed her concerns to the airline’s executives and requested a report, according to a South China Morning Post report.
“We will seriously learn from the experience and review the relevant arrangements to avoid occurrence of similar situations,” Greater Bay Airlines said.
Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery data shows Greater Bay Airlines operates eight 737-800s. In 2023, the airline ordered 15 737-9s to be delivered between 2025 and 2027. Aviation Week has reached out to Greater Bay Airlines for details on its updated 737-9 delivery timeline
Deliveries and production for the 737 MAX family aircraft were paused following an eight-week strike by Boeing machinists that only ended in November 2024. In December, the first full month since the strike ended, the company delivered 17 737 MAXs.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong-based airline says it is suspending its service to Seoul, citing unsatisfactory business performance, and has notified the relevant authorities in Hong Kong and South Korea that the flights will cease.
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