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

The powerful hum of the engines, the runway rushing by, the sudden drop in your stomach as the aircraft finally lifts off – flying is always an exhilarating experience. But it is also a privilege that not everyone gets to enjoy. This is why Cathay Pacific is proud to operate the I Can Fly community programme, which encourages local youth to take to the skies.

Launched in 2003, I Can Fly reflects Cathay Pacific’s commitment to supporting young talent and uplifting our communities. The programme is designed for students with a passion for aviation and a commitment to social service. Earlier this year, we refreshed I Can Fly to focus on the themes of education, discovery, and exploration, reflected in three key components: the I Can Fly Youth Academy, I Can Fly Discovery Flight and I Can Fly Aviation Explorer Days. 

“Cathay Pacific’s I Can Fly programme reflects our commitment to youth development, providing students with unique experiences and opportunities across the aviation sector, and  hopefully uplifting them to create a brighter future for all,” says Cathay Pacific Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau. “Participants gain invaluable exposure and insights across multiple facets of the aviation industry. These include visits to Cathay Pacific’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.” 

Devised to nurture the next generation of aviation talent, Cathay Pacific’s I Can Fly Youth Academy provides invaluable training and industry exposure. This intensive programme emphasises experiential learning, interactive sessions and meaningful mentorship opportunities with aviation professionals. “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 flagship of our I Can Fly programme is the Discovery Flight, which we have held annually since 2017. This 90-minute flight takes around 180 young participants, many flying the first time, over the verdant hills and dense skyscrapers of Hong Kong. 

This November, we organised a Discovery Flight 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 Pacific has supported since 2023, as well as underprivileged families connected with Kwun Tong Methodist Social Services , one of Cathay Pacific’s social partners. 

After checking in and going through immigration 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 Pacific and our partners. Then, with much excitement, everyone began to board. Before we knew it, 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 Pacific crew feeling happy and humbled to have made so many young people’s dreams of flying come true.

As part of the I Can Fly programme, meanwhile, Cathay Pacific held a series of Aviation Explorer Days throughout the year. “Since the beginning of 2025, we have already hosted more than 1,400 young students from different backgrounds, aged between 10–18, at Cathay City, giving them a special behind-the-scenes look at the world of aviation and Cathay Pacific,” says Lau. Participants are also invited to tour the Cathay Cargo Terminal and Cathay Dining facilities, offering an overview of Cathay Pacific’s complex operations. 

“Cathay Pacific 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 Pacific, 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.” 

Next year, Cathay Pacific will be hosting a special edition of the I Can Fly Youth Academy in celebration of the airline’s 80th anniversary. “We also plan to host smaller versions of the I Can Fly programme across the different regions in which we operate, laying a strong foundation for potential exchange opportunities in the future for students from different countries,” adds Lau.  

“The I Can Fly Programme encapsulates our unwavering belief in youth as a positive force for our community. We believe that by giving young people incredible experiences within our industry, we can inspire them and help their dreams take flight.”