Jetstar Hong Kong's takeoff delayed March 13, 2013 - 1:19PM The launch of Jetstar's new Hong Kong airlines has been pushed back to the end of the year due to delays in gaining regulatory approval. It comes as competition over flights through China heats up, with the announcement by Qantas competitor China Southern airlines of standalone flights from Sydney to London at prices up to 34 per cent lower than Qantas. Jetstar CEO Jayne Hrdlicka told the American Chamber of Commerce that the launch of Jetstar Hong Kong, originally scheduled for the middle of the year, had been delayed because of constraints from government changeovers in China and Hong Kong that were now on a "clear path." "We've been held up a little bit by the Hong Kong government changeover and the Chinese government changeover and there is a clear plan through regulatory constraints," she said. We are very confident of being able to fly by end of 2013. Jetstar Hong Kong made its official pitch to gain regulatory approval for the airline in July - four months after Jetstar's parent, Qantas, and joint venture partner China Eastern unveiled plans for the new airline - in the form of an application for an air operator's licence to operate commercial flights. Delays in the launch give Jetstar competitors, such as Air China, time to up the ante. Air China is a cornerstone shareholder in Cathay Pacific.