Hong Kong-based startup Greater Bay Airlines is expanding its international network with its inaugural route to Vietnam.

The carrier, which began commercial operations in July 2022, plans to launch flights to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport from July 18. Service will be twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Ho Chi Minh City will be the sixth destination to be served by Greater Bay Airlines from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) alongside flights to Bangkok, Osaka Kansai, Seoul Incheon, Taipei and Tokyo Narita.

Competition in the Hong Kong-Ho Chi Minh City market will be provided by three other operators, data provided by OAG Schedules Analyser shows. Cathay Pacific Airways offers a double-daily service, while Vietjet provides daily flights. Vietnam Airlines also connects the destinations nonstop with five roundtrips per week.

In the wider Hong Kong-Vietnam market, Hanoi is served by Cathay Pacific 9X-weekly, HK Express daily and Vietnam Airlines 4X-weekly. HK Express also serves Da Nang daily and Nha Trang Cam Ranh 4X-weekly, while Vietjet has one flight per week from both Da Nang and Phu Quoc.

Founded by Chinese property tycoon Bill Wong Cho-bau, who also owns Shenzhen-based Donghai Airlines, Greater Bay Airlines was in February 2022 granted the rights to operate 104 routes from HKG. The license includes cargo as well as passenger flights.

The rights to the routes were made available after being relinquished by axed regional carrier Cathay Dragon, which closed in October 2020 as part of a wider restructure at Cathay Pacific. Before the pandemic, Cathay Dragon's network spanned more than 50 destinations in 15 countries and in excess of 1,100 weekly flights.

In March 2023, Greater Bay Airlines announced an order for 15 737-9 aircraft, which will be gradually added to its fleet between 2024 and 2027. The agreement also includes a commitment for five 787s to support the carrier’s planned long-haul expansion.