How Cathay’s I Can Fly programme takes Hong Kong youth to new heights

The powerful rush of the engines, the runway a blur below, that fleeting moment of weightlessness at take-off – flying is pure exhilaration. It’s this sense of wonder that inspires Cathay’s I Can Fly community programme, which encourages young people in Hong Kong to explore the world of aviation.

Launched in 2003, I Can Fly is aimed at students who have a passion for aviation and a commitment to serving their community. After this year’s refresh, the programme now focuses on the pillars of education, discovery and exploration, reflected across three components: the I Can Fly Youth Academy, I Can Fly Discovery Flight and I Can Fly Aviation Explorer Days.

“Cathay’s I Can Fly programme reflects our commitment to youth development, offering students unique experiences across the aviation sector,” says Lavinia Lau, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer at Cathay. “Participants gain invaluable exposure and insights across multiple facets of the aviation industry. These include visits to Cathay’s state-of-the-art facilities, exposure to different business lines and meaningful interactions with industry professionals – all aimed at broadening their horizons and their understanding of aviation.”

At the heart of the initiative is Cathay’s I Can Fly Youth Academy, which nurtures the next generation with interactive training, social service projects and mentorship opportunities with aviation professionals. Those who perform outstandingly are invited to join an experiential aviation trip during the summer holiday.

“The I Can Fly programme continues to evolve in content, experiences and scale,” says Lau. “Over the years, we have added new experiences, including trips to the Chinese Mainland and to Adelaide.”

A highlight of the I Can Fly programme is the Discovery Flight, operated annually since 2017, the most recent having taken place in November. This 90-minute journey takes about 180 young participants, many flying for the first time, over Hong Kong’s lush hills and soaring skyscrapers.

This year’s Discovery Flight was on a refurbished B777-300ER aircraft, equipped with our award-winning Aria Suite. Among the invitees were teenagers enrolled in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Strive and Rise Programme , which Cathay has supported since 2023, as well as underprivileged families connected with Kwun Tong Methodist Social Services , one of Cathay’s social partners.

After checking in at Hong Kong International Airport, our guests headed to the boarding gate for a fun pre-flight game followed by opening remarks from representatives of Cathay and our partners. Then, with much excitement, everyone began to board. Soon the aircraft was soaring through the skies of Hong Kong, and everyone had a chance to savour an inflight meal and enjoy the extensive media on our cutting-edge inflight entertainment system. We touched down at around 1pm, with the Cathay crew feeling happy and humbled to have made so many young people’s dreams of flying come true.

Meanwhile, I Can Fly Aviation Explorer Days throughout the year offer behind-the-scenes access to Cathay City, near Hong Kong International Airport – this year, we’ve welcomed more than 1,400 students to view the inner workings of aviation at our home base. “Since the beginning of 2025, we have already hosted more than 1,400 young students from different backgrounds, aged between 10 and 18, at Cathay City, giving them a special behind-the-scenes look at the world of aviation and Cathay,” says Lau. Participants are also invited to tour the Cathay Cargo Terminal and Cathay Dining facilities, offering an overview of Cathay’s complex operations.

“Cathay always tries to be a force of positivity in the communities we serve. We’re really proud of the impact that the I Can Fly programme has had on participants,” she continues. “Since its inception in 2003, over 4,400 students have graduated from the I Can Fly Youth Academy programme. Many have gone on to have successful careers in the aviation sector, including with us here at Cathay, not just as pilots but across multiple different departments and disciplines. It illustrates the programme’s effectiveness in shaping futures and creating opportunities for our youth.”

To celebrate Cathay’s 80th anniversary this year, we’ll host a special edition of the I Can Fly Youth Academy and widen the programmes to other regions in which we operate, laying a strong foundation for potential exchange opportunities for students from different countries.

“The I Can Fly Programme encapsulates our unwavering belief in young people as a positive force,” says Lau. “By giving them incredible experiences within our industry, we can inspire them and help their dreams take flight.”

This article was originally published in November 2025 and updated in January 2026.