Oasis fourth carrier to fold in a fortnight

Hong Kong-based low-cost airline Oasis has gone into liquidation, cancelling all of its flights.

Chief executive Stephen Miller said: “It is with great regret that Oasis Hong Kong Airlines has today voluntarily applied to the Hong Kong courts to appoint a liquidator.”

Oasis launched in October 2006, flying daily from London Gatwick to Hong Kong, and then added flights from Hong Kong to Vancouver.

The Hong Kong Economic Times reported that the airline was struggling with large debts.

Oasis was created by husband-and-wife team Raymond and Priscilla Lee and employed almost 700 staff.

Oasis had been seeking investors in order to progressively expand its route network across Europe, North America and Australia ‘in the near future, while targeted destinations included Chicago, San Francisco, Berlin, Cologne, Manchester, Milan, Melbourne and Sydney.

Three US carriers have all ceased operations in the last fortnight – ATA Airlines, Aloha Airgroup and Skybus Airlines. 

Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand have stepped in to help stranded Oasis passengers.

British Airways is offering a special fare of £194 one-way to Hong Kong until April 29 for travel up to June 22 for Oasis passengers affected by the collapse.

ABTA head of policy and communications David Marshall said: “This failure in a tough economic climate, along with the closure announcements of other American airlines in recent weeks, highlights the importance of having financial protection in place when you book flights. ABTA members can offer the maximum amount of protection. Just ask.” 

Cathay chief executive Tony Tyler said: “We sympathise with the many passengers in Hong Kong, London and Vancouver who have been stranded by the Oasis’ decision, and we will do our very best to help them through this difficult and stressful period.

“We hope our contingency arrangements can accommodate as many as possible of the school children affected, and take people home who have been stranded by the closure.”

He said the demise of Oasis underlined the “tough and competitive nature of the international aviation business, particularly at a time of record high fuel prices and global economic uncertainty.”

Special ticketing arrangements have been made to help Oasis customers who had confirmed bookings on the airline over the next two weeks, effective up to and including April 23.

A special one-way Economy Class fare of £160 will be offered to eligible Oasis ticket holders on the London to Hong Kong route.

Cathay has set up a hotline on 0208 834 8893 for passengers to get details of special ticketing arrangements.

Details can also be found at www.cathaypacific.com

“We will be doing our utmost to help people out, and will certainly do everything in our power to co-operate with the HKSAR Government and other carriers to minimise the impact on the travelling public” said Tyler.

Air New Zealand is offering a special one way fare of £150 plus taxes of £124 and a service fee of £7 – a total fare of £281 – from London to Hong Kong for passengers affected by the liquidation of Oasis Airlines on production of an Oasis ticket.

The fare is on sale until April 30 and is available for departures up until that date.

By Bev Fearis