Ferry operator Turbojet launched its Jetfoil service for the first time in four and a half years last Friday, after the Terceira set off from Hong Kong to Macao at 11:45 am. That’s according to the Jetfoil Conservation Concern Group, which broke the news with a social media post.
Jetfoil services, which use Boeing 929 “Jetfoils,” were suspended in early 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, Turbojet has exclusively deployed high-speed catamarans on the Macao-Hong Kong route.
According to the concern group, there is currently only one Jetfoil service operating, departing Hong Kong for Macao at 11:45 am and Macao for Hong Kong at 2:15 pm. It noted that “the current Jetfoil sailings are experiments only, thus these are not regular daily services.”
Boeing 929 Jetfoil vessels have had a long history in Macao where they were first introduced during the 1970s. They are easily identifiable via their ability to keep their hulls out of the water. By “flying” above the sea, they experience far less turbulence and friction, leading to a more comfortable and smoother ride for passengers.
[See more: TurboJet cuts sailings between Macao and Hong Kong]
TurboJet reportedly had six Boeing Jetfoils in its fleet as of 12 July 2024, including the São Jorge, Terceira, Funchal, Horta, Taipa and Carcilhas. In recent years some of the craft were retired, including the Santa Maria, which ended 45 years of service in 2021. More recently, the Penha and Barca – Jetfoil -catamaran hybrids known as “Foilcats” – were placed in a shipyard.
The Jetfoil Conservation Concern Group have been lobbying for the preservation of vessels such as the Santa Maria and Urzela through petitions and raising awareness in the media.
While the resumption of Jetfoil service is certainly good news for ferry buffs, Turbojet’s operations have yet to fully recover from the pandemic, with daily sailings at the Outer Harbour Terminal experiencing a significant reduction.
Meanwhile, the ferry operator’s parent company Shun Tak experienced a loss of HK$428 million in the first six months of this year.
