Viva Macau hoping to fly again
MACAU – Grounded budget airline Viva Macau is hoping to resume flying on Friday.
The Macau government on Sunday terminated Viva Macau’s operating certificate after a review of the carrier’s financial situation, and will pursue it to recover about HK$194 million it had loaned the airline in recent years to pay fuel bills.
Online booking services have been “temporarily suspended” on the Viva Macau website.
The airline’s chief executive, Reg Macdonald, quoted by the Hong Kong Standard said the airline was continuing to talk to all parties to seek a solution but refused to disclose its latest financial situation.
Flights were halted last Friday after the airline disputed claims by fuel companies that it had not paid its bills.
“We are also actively communicating with all parties involved to come up with a solution,” Macdonald said. “Viva Macau was deeply surprised to learn that the airline’s air operator’s certificate was revoked without any prior notice.”
More than 30 flights have been cancelled, affecting 4,700 passengers.
Macdonald said the airline hopes to resume flights on Friday.
A booth was set up at Macau airport yesterday to refer passengers seeking a refund to Viva Macau’s head office.
On Sunday, dozens of stranded passengers tried to storm the departures area at Macau airport and when that failed formed a human chain to try to stop other travelers.
The Macau Government Tourist Office has reassured travellers that problems affecting Viva Macau Airlines will have minimal impact on travel to and from Australia.
MGTO GM in Australia, Helen Wong, said the majority of Australians visiting Macau entered the territory via Hong Kong.
“The most common route from Australia to Macau is via Hong Kong international airport, where passengers can connect with frequent, high speed ferries,†said Wong.
Viva Macau has operated services between the Chinese SAR and Sydney and Melbourne, along with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and other Asian regional destinations.
Ian Jarrett
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