Cathay upbeat on Malaysia's aviation sector; unit to start Subang flights Aug 1

New Straits Times

10-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Cathay Pacific's budget carrier, HK Express Airways, will launch daily flights to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport) starting August 1 as part of its broader plan to expand operations in Malaysia.
Robbie Blackwood, Cathay Pacific's area head for Malaysia and Brunei, said he remains upbeat about the aviation sector's outlook.
"We've seen strong resilience in the Penang market, especially on the cargo side, which performed very well in the first half of this year. Agility is key. We're constantly monitoring new route opportunities, and we have a really good team here who can identify that," he told Business Times after the unveiling of the "Traverse with Paramount" campaign, a partnership with Paramount Property, here on Wednesday.
"Our extensive network allows us to serve emerging routes and new cargo types effectively. Passenger performance has also been encouraging, with leisure travel remaining strong. This year, corporate travel is making a notable comeback, and we expect customer demand to continue rising, although our capacity plans are still being finalised."
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Cathay Pacific acquired HK Express in 2019 and has been actively expanding its footprint in Malaysia.
"When we explored new markets, we started with Penang, launching daily flights to Hong Kong in November last year. From August, we'll expand into Subang with daily departures as well, making Subang the second Malaysian destination for HK Express," Blackwood said.
There are also plans to operate from other airports in Malaysia, especially in popular tourist destinations, but details are still under wraps.
"Malaysia is a key growth market for us as we expand across the region, Blackwood said.
He noted that currently, Cathay Pacific operates seven passenger flights and three freighter flights weekly out of Penang, supporting the state's thriving electronics export sector. HK Express also runs daily passenger flights from Penang.
Cathay Pacific also maintains a strong presence at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), with three daily passenger flights.
For its Subang operations, HK Express will deploy narrow-body aircraft in line with its low-cost strategy, which is likely from the A320 family, potentially including the A321neo, Blackwood said, noting that final aircraft plans are still being finalised.
"Subang serves a slightly different market for us. Its proximity to the city centre is a major advantage, and the evening departure slots cater well to passengers wanting to fly after work. Currently, Cathay Pacific operates morning, early afternoon, and mid-afternoon departures from KLIA. Subang's evening flight adds more flexibility for travellers," Blackwood added.
Separately, for the first time in Malaysia, Cathay Pacific has teamed up with a local property developer to strengthen its brand presence here.
The partnership with Paramount Property for the 'Traverse with Paramount' campaign is built on aligned values, Blackwood said.
"Paramount focuses on what they can offer customers beyond handing over the keys to a home. We approach travel the same way, through exceptional service in flight, at the airport, during check-in, and in our lounges. From a values perspective, the partnership is a natural fit," he said.
The campaign will reward property buyers with between 10,000 and 40,000 Asia Miles for purchases made across eight participating Paramount Property developments.