Hong Kong Budget Airline's Inaugural Flight to London Cancelled

In an embarrassing mishap, the inaugural flight of a much-publicized local budget airline was canceled Wednesday because it wasn't cleared to fly over Russian airspace.

Officials at Oasis Hong Kong Airlines, however, insisted the delay of flight O8 700 from Hong Kong to London's Gatwick Airport wasn't their fault.

The flight was scheduled to depart Hong Kong at 0300 GMT but was abandoned five hours later. TV footage showed passengers milling around the cabin of the Boeing 747-400.

"We apologize because our flight has to be abandoned due to problems with the over-flight rights in Russia. We now invite passengers to leave the plane," it was announced on the plane.

The airline is now seeking a takeoff on Thursday afternoon - but has no guarantee yet.

Oasis chairman Raymond Lee, who was on board, told Cable TV that the delay was due to a last-minute holdup in approval to fly over Russian airspace.

"Although we had obtained approval, Russia reneged on its promise at the last minute and did not allow us to enter (its airspace). We certainly are disappointed and frustrated."

The airline also said in a statement that its paperwork was in order and its flight path over Russia had been approved earlier.

"The Russian authorities, for unexplained reasons, have chosen to now hold up the over-flight rights," the statement said.

Russian aviation officials couldn't be immediately reached for comment.

Oasis has grabbed headlines by promising low-budget long-haul fares while not skimping on in-flight services. The airline's business model relies on outsourcing catering and call centers.

Oasis is charging fares as low as HK$1,000 (US$128; euro102) before taxes for a one-way direct flight to London - one-third of the lowest price currently available. Flying business class starts at HK$6,600 (US$848; euro675) one-way.

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