Greater Bay Airlines recently announced the launch of its Hong Kong–Guilin route, prompting questions about its relevance:
With three high-speed rail lines already connecting Guilin directly to West Kowloon, does air travel still have an edge?
The reasoning is more nuanced. Observers in Guangxi note that the primary advantage of the Hong Kong-Guilin flight lies in its transfer convenience, especially for international travelers.
The route was first operated during the Dragonair era, mainly serving tourism and business travel between the two locations.
Now as Guilin accelerates the recovery of inbound flights from Europe, North America, Japan, and South Korea, Hong Kong—serving as a regional transfer hub—becomes increasingly valuable for international connections.
From a market demand perspective, the route’s revival appears well justified.
According to data from Flight Master, Greater Bay Airlines currently operates a fleet of eight aircraft serving 14 routes.
With limited service capacity, the airline is increasingly exhibiting the traits of a low-cost model—such as simplified services and low fares—though it still offers 20 kg of free checked baggage, which is atypical for traditional LCCs.
Greater Bay Airlines has been in operation for four years, with its initial focus set on international markets.
However, in competing with established carriers such as Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines, the startup carrier has gradually fallen behind in terms of brand recognition, service standards, and route network coverage—resulting in a steady loss of international passenger traffic.
Earlier this year, the carrier canceled 128 flights to Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. Its Seoul service was suspended, while its Singapore route was terminated less than two months after launch.
Against this backdrop, shifting focus to lower-tier mainland cities and filling market gaps with high-frequency direct flights has become a pragmatic strategic move.
