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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| HK budget airline stays grounded | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The inaugural flight of Hong Kong's first budget airline, Oasis, has failed to make it off the ground. | The inaugural flight of Hong Kong's first budget airline, Oasis, has failed to make it off the ground. |
| The flight to London Gatwick was meant to leave at 1300 local time (0500 GMT), but was delayed after Russia held back its right to overfly Russian territory. | The flight to London Gatwick was meant to leave at 1300 local time (0500 GMT), but was delayed after Russia held back its right to overfly Russian territory. |
| After hours of delay, passengers on the fully-booked flight had to disembark. | |
| Unlike many low-cost carriers Oasis offers food and intends to concentrate on long-haul routes - assuming it makes it into the air on Thursday. | |
| Seats in economy class cost from US$200 (£112) including tax. | Seats in economy class cost from US$200 (£112) including tax. |
| The airline also offers a business class, which it says is cheaper than economy on established airlines. | The airline also offers a business class, which it says 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. | 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. |