བསམ་ཊ་དགགྲྭམ
support for CATHAY PACIFIC for OPERATING
HIK-LONDON ROUTE
Editorial in Wah Kiu Yat Po, March 21, 1980-
The decision by the British Civil Aviation Authority to reject an application by Cathay Pacific Airways for a licence to operate a second air service between Hong Kong and London did not make sense and would seriously undermine Hong Kong's interests. It would also ruin the harmonious relations between Hong Kong and Britain. In recent days, not only the entire community of Hong Kong has expressed strong opposition to the decision, but people in civil aviatica circles and in business and indusual sectors in overseas countries have also been shocked and puzzled by it. It has been said that CPA was planning an appeal against the decision and was ready to fight for a reasonable settlement in a bid to put right a wrong decision by the CAA. To safeguard Hong Kong's interests and to maintain good relations between Hong Kong and Britain, we declare that our unquestionable stand and attitude is to support CPA to operate the air route between Hong Kong and London. At the same time, we appeal to various sectors concerned to back CPA in its fight for final victory.
To better understand the CAA's wrong decision, we have to go back and take a look at the history of development of both British Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways.
British Airways (formerly known as the British Overseas Airways Corporation) has been operating the Hong Kong-London air service exclusively for 30 years. In July or August last year, the British and Hong Kong Governments decided to allow other British-financed airlines to provide services foi that particular route. British Airways promptly announced that the number of fughts each week between Hong Kong vid London would be reduced from 11 to seven. Such a move was in fact in line with the intention expressed carlier by the British and Hong Kong Governments. In other words, British Airways had made room for air services to be provided by other ailines.
Three airlines, the Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways and the UK- based British Caledonian Airways and Laker Airways (The British Caledonian Airways and Laker Airways operate only chartered flights and have no scheduled flights to the Far East), applied for a licence to operate this air cute.
British Airways stated that there was room in the air route for only one more carrier. The Hong Kong Air Transport Licensing Authority and the British Civil Aviation Authority then decided to hold public hearings on submissions by the four airlines, including British Airways, on their grounds and proposals for bidding for a licence to operate the air route. The hearing in Hong nong, presided over by Judge Penlington, was held on November 12, 1979 at the Wing On Centre in Cential. Apart from the chief executives and representatives of the airlines concerned, the Attorney-General, Mr. John Griffiths, attended the hearings.
The outcome of the hearings in Hong Kong was announced on November 30. Both CPA and British Caledonian Always were awarded licences to operate the air service between Hong Kong and London. CPA was allowed to operate three return flights every week while British Caledonian Airways was given four. One reason for the flight arrangement was that CPA would be using 410-seat 747 Jumbos while British Caledonian Airways would be flying with smaller-bodied DC-10 jets with a passenger capacity of 270.
This arrangement will not only help prevent any possibility of running into financial hardship stemming from the difference between operating costs and air fares collected from passengers, but will also achieve the aim of fair competition. Application by Laker Airways was rejected.
The Attorney-General. . .