On July 5, 2024, Sendai-based newspaper Kahoku Shimpo reported that the low-cost Greater Bay Airlines is considering launching scheduled flights between Hong Kong and Sendai, with the flights starting as early as this fall. According to the report, three to four weekly roundtrips are being considered.
Ahead of the possible scheduled service launch, Greater Bay Airlines will operate six charter roundtrips on the route between mid-July and mid-August 2024 on behalf of Hong Kong-based tour operators.
Greater Bay Airlines will operate both the charters (and scheduled flights should they materialize) using the sole aircraft type in its fleet, a 189-seater Boeing 737-800.
If the flights are launched as currently being considered, it would be the first time for Sendai Airport to have a scheduled non-stop connection with Hong Kong since February 2011 when Dragonair (now Cathay Dragon) operated the route. Hong Kong would become the fifth international destination with non-stop service from Sendai following Seoul (Asiana Airlines), Taipei (EVA Air, Starlux Airlines, and Tigerair Taiwan), and Dalian and Shanghai (Air China).
Greater Bay Airlines currently offers scheduled flights between Hong Kong and two destinations in Japan, Tokyo Narita and Osaka Kansai.
