Flights from the UK to Hong Kong from as little as £75 plus taxes went on sale today, as a new long-haul, low-fare airline launched its schedule from London Gatwick.

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines will run four direct flights a week from October 26, rising to a daily service in November. An economy class return ticket including all taxes and fees will start at £261, with a similar journey in business class costing from £1071.

The Hong Kong-based company is promising passengers the comforts of a full-service airline, including seat-back TV entertainment and seat sizes in line with other carriers.

Two free hot meals will be offered during the flights but passengers can also opt to pay for extras such as an "upgraded" meal. The Boeing 747 planes will have a capacity of 81 in business class and 278 in economy.

The carrier is hoping to launch flights from Hong Kong to more European and US hubs in the future, including Berlin, Cologne, Milan, San Francisco and Chicago.

Chairman Raymond Lee said today: "Oasis Hong Kong Airlines' incredible prices and pioneering approach look set to transform long haul travel, making it accessible to a wider audience and boosting tourism to Hong Kong and China.

"Business travellers, as well as consumers, are increasingly price-conscious, and I believe we have an individual business proposition that not only delivers on price, but offers passengers a flexible and high-quality service - a term not often associated with low-fare travel."