Wednesday, May 29, 2024 Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) announced a new safety initiative effective May 30, 2024, encouraging passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened during flights, even when the seatbelt sign is off. This precautionary measure, while not mandatory, is intended to enhance passenger safety awareness. The decision follows recent incidents involving other airlines, where seatbelt usage during sudden turbulence significantly contributed to passenger safety.
GBA’s initiative emphasizes the importance of being prepared for unpredictable or severe weather conditions, such as convectively induced turbulence and clear-air turbulence. During flights, announcements will be made, and cabin crew will remind passengers to fasten their seatbelts if they notice them unfastened. Passengers will still be free to use the toilet and move around the cabin when the seatbelt sign is off, provided they refasten their seatbelts upon returning to their seats.
GBA began scheduled services in July 2022 and operates flights between Hong Kong and various destinations, including Bangkok, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, and Manila, utilizing a fleet of eight Boeing 737-800 aircraft..