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## Greater Bay Airlines – Fuel Cost Crisis & Bangkok Route Suspension ### Overview Greater Bay Airlines has suspended its flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok for more than four months, citing surging fuel prices driven by the Middle East conflict (SCMP, April 2026). The suspension runs from mid-May through late September 2026. ### Suspension Details - No flights from Hong Kong to Bangkok between **May 11 and September 22** (SCMP, April 2026) - No flights from Bangkok to Hong Kong between **May 12 and September 23** (SCMP, April 2026) - The carrier attributed the suspension to "continued rise in fuel prices" and apologised to affected travellers (SCMP, April 2026) ### Context The suspension is part of a broader pattern of Asia-Pacific aviation disruption driven by the US-Israel-Iran war's impact on global oil prices and jet fuel supply chains. The Strait of Hormuz crisis has created a Strait of Hormuz Closure – European Aviation Fuel Supply Crisis (existing page), with parallel effects across Asian carriers. ### About Greater Bay Airlines - Hong Kong-based carrier operating regional routes across Asia - Operates in a highly competitive and fuel-cost-sensitive low-cost/regional carrier segment - The Bangkok route is a high-demand leisure and business corridor ### Strategic Implications - The extended four-month suspension (covering peak summer travel) suggests the airline does not expect fuel prices to normalize quickly - Smaller regional carriers are disproportionately exposed to fuel price spikes relative to larger carriers with hedging programs - Route suspension creates opportunity for competing carriers on the Hong Kong-Bangkok corridor - Broader signal: Middle East conflict fuel price transmission is materially affecting Asia-Pacific aviation commercial decisions ### Connections - Asia-Pacific Aviation Fuel Crisis – Iran War Impact (existing page) - Strait of Hormuz Closure – European Aviation Fuel Supply Crisis (existing page) - Iran War – US Airline Fare Surge (existing page)