Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific has been serving and growing with Hong Kong for 60 years. We started with one aircraft, and two founders who each put up HK$1 to register the company here on 24 September, 1946. Today we own more than 100 aircraft, employ over 23,000 people and have thousands of Hong Kong shareholders with a stake in the airline. As the airline of Hong Kong, we continue to invest in the city, its people and the community. Together, we will continue to grow.Building The Hub
Strong transport links have gone hand in hand with the development of great cities around the world as focal points of tourism and trade.
Continued investment to expand our fleet and network strengthens Hong Kong as a global aviation hub.
Every month, Cathay Pacific carries about 1.3 million people to and through Hong Kong. Making more than 1,600 departures every week, we connect passengers to more than 90 destinations around the world.
Every year, we carry over one million tonnes of freight, making Cathay Pacific the world’s fifth-largest cargo airline by volume.
With the combined coverage of airlines in the oneworld alliance, of which we were a co-founder, travellers from more than 600 cities can connect to Hong Kong. We promote Hong Kong through our offices in 80 countries and territories.
Our fleet of all wide-body aircraft is one of the youngest and most modern in the skies. We have made our biggest ever commitment for new aircraft with orders for 16 long-range Boeing 777-300Ers and purchase rights for 20 more. We also ordered three Airbus 330-300s.
By 2010, we will operate 125 aircraft - 133 including our sister cargo carrier Air Hong Kong.
Air Hong Kong is Asia’s first and only dedicated express cargo airline. Its fleet of eight freighter aircraft is building Hong Kong into a regional express-parcels hub.
Cathay Pacific is a home-grown Hong Kong brand with a world-wide reputation for excellence. We are continually inspired by the enterprising spirit, vitality and determination of the Hong Kong people to always improve.
 "I love my work in the hustle and bustle of the airport. It’s not just about checking in passengers but making that all important personal connection so that they remember us for their next trip.”" - Helen Tsang, Customer Services Officer. |
Investing in People
We employ more than 23,000 people in Hong Kong, making us one of the city’s biggest employers.
Soon, more than 2,000 pilots and 7,000 flight attendants will proudly wear the Cathay Pacific uniform.
We launched our Cadet Pilot Programme in 1988 to recruit and train local pilots, More than 300 cadets have joined the airline and some have risen to the rank of Captain. About 30 Hong Kong cadets earn their wings each year.
More than half of all our flight attendants are from Hong Kong.
With more than 1,000 courses and 42,000 days of instruction each year, our engineering works, HAECO, has trained more than 8,500 staff and almost 2,500 more work for joint-venture companies. They extend to TAECO, an aircraft engineering works in Xiamen, and HAESL, the Hong Kong aero engine services company.
We invested HK$8 billion in facilities at Hong Kong International Airport, including our headquarters at Cathay Pacific City, making us the airport’s biggest private investor.
Cathay Pacific Catering Services, another subsidiary, operates one of the world’s biggest inflight kitchens and serves dozens of other airlines in Hong Kong. Its army of chefs can prepare up to 80,000 meals a day.
Associate company Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) operates the world’s largest air cargo terminal – Super Terminal 1 – with a designed annual capacity of 2.6 million tonnes.
We have received more than 100 awards in five years, including “Airline of the Year 2006”. Each is a tribute to the dedication and professionalism of all our staff.
Our overseas operations make Cathay Pacific one of Hong Kong’s biggest earners of foreign currency.
 "Every flight is a new opportunity to make things even better for our passengers. A smile, a nod of appreciation or a simple thank you as passengers disembark is enough to tell me I’ve done a good job" - Flora Chow, Flight Attendant, HAECO |
 "I count my blessings to have a career I truly enjoy. I started as a Cadet and now I am a Captain. For youngsters aiming to be pilot – keep learning, improve yourself constantly and always be humble. And maybe we’ll fly together one day" - Captain Antony Fung |
Supporting The Community
Youth and tourism development play central roles in our support for the community.
As a sponsor of cultural and sporting events such as the Hong Kong International Races, the Hong Kong Sevens and the International Chinese New Year Parade, we help make Hong Kong a must-visit destination.
One thousand local students aged between 13 and 18 years join our 15-month "I Can Fly" programme to learn about aviation and participate in community service programmes. Cathay Pacific pilots act as their mentors.
Cathay Pacific and Swire remain leading sponsors of the Life Education Activity Programme (LEAP), which teaches young people about the dangers of drug abuse and promotes healthy lifestyles. The organisation reaches 70,000 students in more than 160 schools every year.
Our Change for Good collections for UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, have raised HK$62 million since 1991. A portion of the money raised goes to the Cathay Pacific Wheelchair Bank for children with special needs.
Staff volunteers give their time to the Sunnyside Club to bring cheer to local handicapped youngsters.
We use event sponsorship to widen people’s horizons by asking champion sportsmen to coach young players and Broadway actors to stage acting master classes. We also give school kids a shot at joining the Manchester United Soccer Schools.
We gave away 10,000 free tickets in our “World’s Biggest Welcome” lucky draw to help boost Hong Kong’s tourism industry. More than one million people entered hoping to win and bring family and friends to visit.
 | When SARS hit, we led the "We Love Hong Kong" campaign with special offers that spurred Hong Kong people to get city life back to normal. |
 "My flying experience and work as a Flight Dispatcher come in handy when promoting local aviation to “I Can Fly’ members. It’s heartwarming to see them serve the less fortunate in the community. I am very proud of these youngsters." - Macario Delfin |
Our story will continue, because you have a dream, when you keep on trying, there's no limit to what you can do...
