According to Kyodo News, Hong Kong-based Greater Bay Airlines announced that it will suspend all scheduled international flights connecting HK with Yonago and Tokushima, Japan, starting in September. The decision comes in response to the spread of predictions in HK about a potential major earthquake in Japan, which has significantly reduced passenger numbers. The company cited unprofitability as the main reason for the suspension.
Greater Bay Airlines' Japan Regional President, Hiroki Ito, stated that regular flights between HK and Yonago Airport will be suspended from September due to consistently low passenger load factors, which have remained below the breakeven point. After maintaining operations for a period, the airline has decided to cease services at the end of August and suspend operations from September until further notice.
Reports indicate that the regular flights between Yonago and HK began in October last year, with three weekly services. However, the passenger load factor in May was only 43.3%, and the June figure is projected to be around 40%, both below 50%.
Greater Bay Airlines said that the current three weekly flights will continue until August 31. Ito added, "If the situation improves, we hope to return," noting that demand from the prefectural government and travel agencies, as well as an improvement in the overall atmosphere, would be key considerations for resumption.
Additionally, Greater Bay Airlines launched regular flights between Tokushima and HK in November last year, operating three weekly round trips. However, due to the impact of the earthquake rumors, passenger numbers from HK have significantly declined. As a result, the airline reduced the frequency to two weekly round trips starting May 12 this year.
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