Educational

Young people are the future of Hong Kong, and at Cathay Pacific, we believe it is essential to contribute to the skills development and personal enhancement of today’s youth. That’s why we support and organise a range of educational programmes at all levels, especially those that help inspire and support the next generation in acquiring knowledge about aviation and in developing a stronger sense of social responsibility.

Cathay Pacific "I Can Fly" Programme

The airline’s flagship youth programme, "I Can Fly", is a unique educational programme combining the essence of social service with aviation know-how. It aims to encourage young people to fly high and to reach for their dreams

Launched in January 2003, the programme actively recruits Hong Kong students aged 15-18 who show a passion for aviation and an interest in community service. With the completion of the fourth programme in 2010, more than 3,000 students have already graduated from the programme.

Cathay Pacific pilots and staff volunteers lead the "I Can Fly" members through a series of aviation and social service activities during the programme period. The young members are given the chance to visit various aviation facilities, go through aviation-related training, participate in teambuilding activities, and design and implement their own social service projects for community groups. At the end of the programme, the members take part in overseas trips where they learn more about different aspects of aviation and interact with people from different cultures. A number of former "I Can Fly" participants have since taken up careers within the Hong Kong aviation industry.

"English on Air" Programme

This unique programme involves English-speaking Cathay Pacific staff volunteers from a wide variety of nationalities and backgrounds who encourage local students to speak English. Through “English on Air”, the students are invited to Cathay Pacific City to meet and mingle with volunteers during English-speaking sessions. The programme is conducted in different formats including interactive activities, conversation sessions and mock job interviews to cater for secondary school students of different age groups. Since its launch in late 2007, around 1,200 students - around 19% of the total secondary school students in Tung Chung - have benefited from the programme.

Life Education Activity Programme (LEAP)

Cathay Pacific is the main sponsor of the Life Education Activity Programme (LEAP), which teaches young people in Hong Kong about the dangers of drug and substance abuse, as well as running discussions on peer pressure, decision-making and the human body. The airline has supported LEAP since 1994. An average school year sees more than 80,000 students from 170 schools attending the LEAP sessions.

Advanced Aviation Education Programme

Cathay Pacific is committed to promoting local aviation education and has supported the Advanced Aviation Education Programme, organised by the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, since 2000. The programme covers basic aviation knowledge and is conducted during the summer. Cathay Pacific has sponsored tickets to outstanding awardees since 2004, enabling them to fly to Melbourne, Australia, to attend flying courses.

Cathay Pacific City Visits

Cathay Pacific’s headquarters complex, Cathay Pacific City, is fully equipped with aviation and training facilities. It offers students and members of the public an opportunity to get a unique insight into the aviation world through a guided-visit programme that is opened to non-profit organisations. In 2010, more than 10,000 visitors from 325 groups affiliated with schools, universities and non-governmental organisations have participated in the programme.