1960. De Havilland Comet 4C, VR-HLA

After launching in 1946 with three ex-BGA Douglas DC-3's, Air Hongkong experienced rapid rapid growth as aviation in the Asian hemisphere became increasingly accessible to people in the region. Five years after it was launched, Air Hongkong steadily grew its route network from a single route servicing Hong Kong and Shanghai to a handful of destinations across East Asia—specifically catering to the exotic destinations demanded by BGA travelers. As flights increased from Hong Kong's Kai Tak International Airport, former Air Hongkong Chairman, Nick Cheung, soon realized that Hong Kong could play an important transportation hub in the Asia-Pacific region, and thus began his ambitious plan to modernize the airline's fleet.

In 1960, the airline leased several De Havilland Comet 4C aircraft from BGA, which they dubbed "Jubilee" as they were Air Hongkong's first jet-powered aircraft. Fitted with 106 seats, the airline operated the Comet 4C on exclusively to cities including Bangkok, Singapore, Taipei, and Tokyo.