Hong Kong Rejects Jetstar Operating License

Hong Kong's Air Transport Licensing Authority has rejected the application by Jetstar Hong Kong Airways to operate scheduled air services from the city.

It was about two years after the low-cost carrier, backed by Australia's Qantas, Shanghai-based China Eastern and Shun Tak Holdings, lodged an application for a license.

The Hong Kong authority said Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express Airways had objected to Jetstar's application.

Having considered all relevant information and the objections presented at the public inquiry, the authority said it decided that Jetstar HK's application be refused as it did not comply with the basic law of having its principal place of business in Hong Kong.