Oasis Hong Kong Airlines -latest Update

[Rinrada]

Nice addition to international travel...Lets hope they get it sorted out...ASAP.

The Times October 26, 2006 (with thanks)

Russia clips budget airline's wings

By Adam Fresco

Hundreds of passengers who paid £75 to fly from Hong Kong to London are left stranded by officials

THE inaugural flight of a low-fare airline between Hong Kong and London was cancelled yesterday after Russian officials refused it permission to fly over their airspace.

The Oasis Hong Kong Airlines Boeing 747, with fares starting at £75 one way plus tax, was to have taken off from Hong Kong early yesterday for Gatwick.

But the 300-plus passengers and the chairman faced the delay because the flight was apparently not cleared to fly over Russia.

Before the passengers trooped off the aircraft, and their luggage was unloaded, television footage showed them milling around the cabin.

Ken Chadd, the commercial director, said: “It’s extremely unfortunate and we are very disappointed. We are doing all we can to resolve the problem.

“We paid for the overfly rights, and we got the approval code, and yet at the last minute they held us up. We have not had any explanation.”

The first flight from Gatwick was meant to take off tonight but that is now in doubt.

A spokeswoman for the airline said: “The flight has not taken off from Hong Kong and we still don’t know when it will. It may be tomorrow but we have not had that confirmed.”

Ten per cent of the 278 economy seats are being offered at the low price, with fares rising to a maximum of £315 in high season. Oasis is also offering a business-class return starting at £1,071, including tax. Virgin fly daily for £380 return including taxes. British Airways’ cheapest flight is £550 in economy.

Given that an Oasis round-trip costs only £261, including taxes, passengers might assume that things will be a little sparse. But the airline is offering seat-back televisions, two hot meals, blankets and pillows and complimentary tea, coffee and water.

The new carrier will run four flights a week, increasing to a daily service between Gatwick and Hong Kong by the end of November. Since tickets went on sale more than a month ago Oasis has sold 20,000 seats.

Traditionally airlines have struggled to make the budget airline business model work on long-haul routes. However, Oasis hopes to overcome this with the extra revenue it could make from its business cabin.Oasis, which is owned by Hong Kong investors, has two Boeing 747-400s with 359 seats, including 81 “luxury business” seats.

Steve Miller, chief executive at Oasis, said: “Our vision is to open up the Far East as a destination by offering affordable, long-haul travel with no compromise on comfort, safety or service.”

CUT-PRICE TAKE-OFFS

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[Rinrada]

Latest update from one of the guys at OASIS London.....

GOOD NEWS ....maybe to LOS next ...Yes....

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines finally began its maiden flight to London

this morning, following a delay of one day.

The long-haul budget carrier planned to fly from Hong Kong to London Gatwick on Wednesday afternoon but was delayed because Russia denied permission for the company to use its airspace.

The 300 passengers disembarked and went back home or to hotels, but permission from Russia was granted just before 9pm on Wednesday night.

The flight finally left Hong Kong at 1pm local time (5.15am GMT)

http://www.oasishongkong.com/gb/en/home.aspx