Latest news with #CathayGroup


Time of India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Cathay Pacific, HK Express surpass 100 global passenger destinations, investing over HKD100B in upgrades
Cathay Group hits 100 passenger destinations milestone Cathay Pacific and HK Express have collectively achieved a milestone of 100 global passenger destinations , according to the Cathay Group. The announcement was made during a cocktail reception at Island Shangri-La in Hong Kong, celebrating the network expansion reached earlier than expected. Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics of Hong Kong, noted that this achievement reinforces Hong Kong's status as a global aviation hub. 'As Cathay hits the magic 100, so too does Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong as an international aviation hub reach unprecedented heights,' she said. Also read: World's safest airlines for 2025 The growth is supported by the implementation of the Three-Runway System , commissioned in late 2024, which has enabled a significant rise in passenger traffic, cargo volumes, and flight movements at Hong Kong International Airport. Live Events Cathay Pacific Chairman Patrick Healy stated that the group has expanded rapidly in the past two years, adding 30 new destinations, 18 of which were introduced in 2025. 'That rate of network expansion is at an unprecedented level for Cathay, and that has allowed it to reach this milestone of 100 destinations ahead of schedule,' Healy said. Cathay invests HKD100 billion in fleet and services The Cathay Group is currently undertaking its largest investment initiative, valued at over HKD100 billion. This program covers upgrades to its fleet, cabin interiors, airport lounges, and digital platforms. Healy emphasized the importance of this investment in aligning with the infrastructure improvements at Hong Kong International Airport. 'Cathay has to continue to invest and it is important that it takes full advantage of the new Three-Runway System,' Healy said during the event. The investment supports Cathay's long-term strategic goal of maintaining its competitiveness and enhancing passenger experience as it grows its global footprint. The current expansion is one of the most rapid in the airline's nearly 80-year history. Also read: Cathay Pacific places order for 100 new aircraft, deliveries commence this year: Official Cathay Pacific ( closed down 0.971 per cent in recent trading. The airline recorded a short-selling volume of HKD52.32 million, with a short-selling ratio of 34.825 per cent as of June 13, 2025. Cathay Pacific's continued network and service expansion reflects broader momentum in Hong Kong's aviation industry, as passenger and cargo movements rise in tandem with infrastructure development.


Travel Daily News
09-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Cathay Pacific: New direct flight between Rome and Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific resumes its flights from Rome after a long- awaited return that strengthens connections between Italy and Asia. Cathay Pacific's non-stop flights connecting Rome Fiumicino with Hong Kong took off from the capital's airport. The new route will operate three times a week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, as a summer seasonal service until 25 October 2025. Rome becomes the second Italian city to be connected with direct flights to Hong Kong, complementing the airline's existing daily service from Milan. It brings the Cathay Group, including Cathay Pacific and low-cost carrier HK Express, one step closer to reaching 100 passenger destinations within the first half of 2025. The launch of flights from Rome marks a significant addition to the airline's European network. Later this month, Cathay Pacific will also launch direct flights from Munich followed by the resumption of flights from Brussels in August, which will bring the total number of European destinations served to twelve. Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: 'We are thrilled to return to Rome with a direct connection, especially in the Jubilee Year. This route holds great historical significance for us – our first flight to Rome dates back to 1986. Today, responding to growing demand, we are proud to offer our customers a convenient, efficient, and high-quality service between the Italian capital and Hong Kong.' Thanks to the return of the direct flight, customers departing from Rome Fiumicino will benefit from smooth onward connections via Hong Kong. The Cathay Group, including premium full-service airline Cathay Pacific and low-cost carrier HK Express, continue to add more destinations to their global network, reaching 100 destinations worldwide within the first half of this year, including 22 cities in the Chinese Mainland. The service also presents a valuable opportunity for travellers from Hong Kong and across the Asia-Pacific region to reach the Eternal City with ease, particularly during the 2025 Jubilee, a major global event that attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists to Rome and the Vatican. 'The launch of the direct service to Hong Kong operated by Cathay Pacific further strengthens our airport's positioning, enhancing connectivity to one of the most dynamic regions in Asia', said Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer at Aeroporti di Roma. 'This is a key milestone in ADR's growth strategy, aimed at further consolidating and diversifying our intercontinental network, while supporting the development of high-quality tourism, the growth of trade exchange and new opportunities for our region'. The Rome-Hong Kong route will be operated using the Airbus A350-900, one of the most modern and efficient aircraft in Cathay Pacific's fleet. Customers can enjoy: Business Class with fully flat beds and direct aisle access. Premium Economy with extra-wide seats and additional legroom. Economy Class featuring ergonomic comfort. An award-winning and state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Flight No. Origin Destination Departure Arrival Days of Operation CX292 Rome (FCO) Hong Kong (HKG) 13:00 06:30+1 Monday, Thursday, Saturday CX293 Hong Kong (HKG) Rome (FCO) 00:30 07:35 Monday, Thursday, Saturday The Cathay Group remains firmly focused on expanding its global network and reinforcing Hong Kong's status as a premier international aviation hub. In addition to Rome, 16 destinations are joining the Cathay Group's network in 2025 with Cathay Pacific already launching services to Hyderabad in March, and Dallas Fort Worth and Urumqi in April.


Travel Daily News
05-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Cathay Pacific launches new Aria Suite on flights from Canada
Cathay Pacific introduces its new state-of-the-art Aria Suite Business class experience along with new Premium Economy and refreshed Economy on flights between Hong Kong and Vancouver. HONG KONG – Cathay Pacific is setting a new benchmark for premium air travel with its all-new Aria Suite Business class available on selected flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong starting from 5 June. Flights will be progressively introduced, starting with three flights per week. Vancouver – Hong Kong is the third long-haul route for the airline's Aria Suite, which was unveiled in Hong Kong in October 2024 onboard its retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which also features a new Premium Economy and refreshed Economy cabin. The cutting-edge Aria Suite delivers a reimagined cabin experience showcasing unrivalled comfort, style and functionality with a human-centric design that places the customer experience at the heart of the conception. Artistry and craftsmanship have gone into every design detail and the suite offers a more personalized and immersive travel experience, featuring a more spacious cabin, intuitive seat designs and refined finishes that reflect Cathay Pacific's dedication to quality. Flights are open for booking with the following flight schedule: Flight No. Origin Destination Departure Arrival Days of Operation CX888 HKG YVR 00:45 21:25 -1 Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday CX865 YVR HKG 00:30 05:35 +1 Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday The new cabin design is a key element of Cathay Pacific's long-term vision to become one of the world's greatest service brands by enhancing its global offering and providing customers with exceptional in-flight comfort. It is part of the HK$100 billion being invested by the Cathay Group in its fleet, cabin products, airport lounges, and digital innovation. Cathay Pacific Senior Vice President, Americas Chris Vanden Hooven said: 'We are proud to continue our commitment to offering an unparalleled level of comfort and convenience by bringing our highly anticipated Aria Suite to our North American customers. Just over 40 years ago, Vancouver was our first long-haul passenger route between North America and Hong Kong. We are thrilled to introduce the Aria Suite to the Americas via Vancouver, further demonstrating the importance of the region to Cathay Pacific.' The Aria Suite will continue to roll out across Cathay Pacific's fleet of retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. From now to October 2025, Cathay Pacific will operate 17 nonstop return flights per week between Vancouver and Hong Kong. With the flight frequency that occurs throughout the day, connectivity to Hong Kong and beyond is seamless via Cathay Pacific's expanding global network. Within the first half of this year, the Cathay Group will reach 100 passenger destinations around the world. Vanden Hooven continued: 'With the recent launch of Cathay Pacific's new route between Dallas Fort Worth and Hong Kong, the first to connect the airline with the southern region of the United States, we're further strengthening our commitment to connecting North America with Hong Kong. Our customers will have even more options, with over 110 return passenger flights per week between North America and Hong Kong this summer, ensuring seamless travel and enhanced connectivity for all.'


South China Morning Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Can Hong Kong's Cathay compete against rivals dishing out hefty bonuses?
Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways may find itself in a weaker position in the race for global talent, an analyst has said, after two of the airline's major rivals dished out heftier bonuses for at least two straight years. Singapore Airlines (SIA) offered employees a profit-sharing bonus equivalent to 7.45 months' pay after reporting a record net profit of S$2.78 billion (US$2.15 billion) for 2024-25, surpassing analysts' expectations. The amount is slightly lower than the 7.94 months' bonus it dished out last year, despite a 3.9 per cent increase in SIA's net profit. Dubai-based airline Emirates' employees are also in line for a windfall after its group announced last week a record-breaking pre-tax profit of US$6.2 billion for the 2024-25 financial year, with staff set to receive a 22-week bonus payout. Emirates, the most profitable airline in the world over the reporting period, has committed big bonuses to its ever-growing workforce for three years running. It awarded a 20-week bonus to employees in 2024 and a 24-week one in 2023. By comparison, Cathay Group's net profit rose 1 per cent year on year to HK$9.9 billion (US$1.28 billion) in 2024, up from HK$9.78 billion in 2023, which was the first time it recorded a profit in four years. The company had accumulated a string of large deficits totalling HK$34 billion over three years when the Covid-19 pandemic crippled the travel industry.


The Star
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Cathay Pacific to launch direct flights from Hong Kong to Urumqi
HONG KONG, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Cathay Pacific announced on Friday that it will launch a new route connecting south China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with flights starting on April 28. During a celebration event for the route's launch, Cathay Pacific highlighted that the direct flights from Hong Kong to Urumqi will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, using Airbus A330 aircraft. Addressing the occasion, Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam said Xinjiang boasts stunning natural scenery and that Urumqi is a key city under the Individual Visit Scheme for Chinese mainland travelers to Hong Kong and Macao. The new route is expected to strengthen connections between Hong Kong and Urumqi, making travel more convenient. Additionally, with the upcoming launch of new destinations in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang province, and Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu province, next month, the total number of Cathay Pacific's passenger destinations in the Chinese mainland will reach 22, said Lam. Mable Chan, secretary for Transport and Logistics of the HKSAR government, said that Xinjiang is a pivotal place under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and a core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt. She expressed optimism that the new route will not only enhance tourism exchanges between the two regions, but also create a new freight corridor to bring Xinjiang's rich products to Hong Kong.