Hong Kong's CR Airways has taken delivery of its first regional jet and is poised to gain an air operator's certificate (AOC) so it can launch passenger services linking Hong Kong with secondary cities in mainland China.
A Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-200, acquired from Shandong Airlines, arrived at Hong Kong International Airport on 14 June painted in CR Airways' livery.
A spokeswoman for Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department (CAD) confirms that it has been carrying out a thorough assessment of CR Airways' AOC application.
Charter
CR Airways, which started operating early in 2002 as a helicopter charter firm, currently has an AOC permitting it to operate a Sikorsky S76C+ helicopter.
Earlier this year it said it was seeking approval to base a CRJ-200 in Hong Kong for use on passenger services to nearby destinations.
Chief executive Kenneth Thong declined to comment but says there will be an announcement in four days.
The airline is expected to outline plans for passenger services between Hong Kong and other Chinese cities.
No regional jet aircraft are currently based in Hong Kong although several companies have studied operations to secondary points in mainland China in recent years.
Source: Flight Daily News
