Qantas subsidiary Jetstar Hong Kong is considering the sale of three more of its aircraft amid ongoing delays in receiving the regulatory approvals required to commence services.
The aircraft sale would be in addition to the three other aircraft that were sold earlier this year, and would leave the start-up with just three A320s.
A Jetstar spokeswoman said "The airline’s board is continuing to assess opportunities to optimise its fleet plan, however Jetstar Hong Kong will remain in a position that allows it to launch once regulatory approval is given.”
Plans to launch Jetstar Hong Kong were first announced in March 2012, in what was originally a 50/50 joint venture with China Eastern. Approval was originally set for early in 2013; however significant delays have resulted since the Hong Kong regulator introduced a six-month ban on air transport licence applications, followed by objections from locally-based airlines over Jetstar being effectively managed from Australia rather than Hong Kong.
The ongoing timing of the regulatory process is not clear.