Greater Bay Airlines Eyes Saipan, Guam Flights Amid 737 Delays

Greater Bay Airlines has applied for a US Foreign Air Carrier Permit (FACP) to launch scheduled flights from Hong Kong International to Saipan and later to Guam International, marking its planned entry into the US market. The initial route to Saipan, the capital of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), is scheduled to begin in the Winter 2025/26 season using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with service twice weekly.

Flights to Guam are expected to follow in 2026, pending the delivery of the carrier’s Boeing 737-9s. Greater Bay Airlines has firm orders for fifteen Boeing 737-9s, but delivery delays persist due to ongoing US-China geopolitical tensions. The airline initially anticipated receiving its first two aircraft in April and May 2025, but no updated timeline has been provided as Boeing’s deliveries to China remain paused.

Currently, Greater Bay Airlines operates eight Boeing 737-800s and also holds a non-binding commitment for five Boeing 787s. The expansion to Saipan and Guam reflects its broader ambitions to increase its international footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.

In its FACP filing, the airline disclosed its ownership structure. Greater Bay Airlines is fully owned by East Pacific (Holdings) Limited of Hong Kong. The holding company is jointly owned by Wong Cho Bau (80%), Lai Wan Kwan (15%), and Li Albert Chee Man (5%). Wong also controls Donghai Airlines and Donghai Jet, while Lai and Li are connected to Shenzhen’s real estate sector.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com