Oasis Hong Kong Takes First Flight As Russia Relents

Following a 24-hour delay, the maiden flight of budget carrier Oasis Hong Kong Airlines Ltd. took off for London from Hong Kong Thursday, after securing Russian government approval to use its airspace, the Wall Street Journal reports. The start-up carrier, which in recent months had been touting the launch of discount long-haul travel, canceled its highly publicized launch Wednesday when it failed to gain clearance to enter Russian airspace. The Boeing 747-400 remained at its gate for nearly six hours before passengers were told to disembark. Late in the day, the airline said it finally received approval for overflying rights in Russia, and rescheduled the departure to Thursday.