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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| HK's new budget airline takes off | HK's new budget airline takes off |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Hong Kong's first budget airline, Oasis, has taken off on its inaugural flight to London. | Hong Kong's first budget airline, Oasis, has taken off on its inaugural flight to London. |
| Unusually for a low-cost carrier, it offers food and business class and concentrates on long-haul flights. | Unusually for a low-cost carrier, it offers food and business class and concentrates on long-haul flights. |
| The first flight - to Gatwick airport - took off at 1300 local time (0500 GMT) and was fully booked. | The first flight - to Gatwick airport - took off at 1300 local time (0500 GMT) and was fully booked. |
| Seats in economy class cost from $200 (£112) including tax while business class is cheaper than economy on established airlines. | Seats in economy class cost from $200 (£112) including tax while business class is cheaper than economy on established airlines. |
| However environmental groups have expressed concern about the trend of budget long-haul flights, and say that low-price fares do not reflect the true cost of the environmental damage they cause. | |
| Shake-up promised | Shake-up promised |
| Oasis Airlines was set up last year by Stephen Miller. He had earlier founded Dragonair, an airline since bought out by Hong Kong's main carrier, Cathay Pacific. | Oasis Airlines was set up last year by Stephen Miller. He had earlier founded Dragonair, an airline since bought out by Hong Kong's main carrier, Cathay Pacific. |
| For his new venture he received financial backing from Hong Kong investors including the Reverend Raymond and Priscylla Lee, who had moved long ago from ministry into property development. | For his new venture he received financial backing from Hong Kong investors including the Reverend Raymond and Priscylla Lee, who had moved long ago from ministry into property development. |
| Oasis promises to shake up the airline industry in Hong Kong and beyond as the first budget carrier to focus only on the long haul. | Oasis promises to shake up the airline industry in Hong Kong and beyond as the first budget carrier to focus only on the long haul. |
| After a few months flying to London, Oasis plans to fly to the US and to destinations in Europe such as Berlin and Milan. | After a few months flying to London, Oasis plans to fly to the US and to destinations in Europe such as Berlin and Milan. |
| On the London route alone, Oasis will spark direct competition with Cathay Pacific, British Airways and Virgin Airlines. | On the London route alone, Oasis will spark direct competition with Cathay Pacific, British Airways and Virgin Airlines. |
| Industry experts say prices across the board will have to be lowered. | Industry experts say prices across the board will have to be lowered. |