Boeing 747
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Airbus 330?
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Airbus 340
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Boeing 777
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yeps, Cathay Pacific is a great airline. I Flew them last october to Hong Kong and Sydney, and enjoyed all my 20 hours of flight time to the fullest!

Can't wait to fly CX again when I go back to Amsterdam (fortunately, not until next july/august, still have a lot to explore in oz and Asia :D )

and Hong Kong......wow, now that's a city that fits perfect for me.....I loved it, can't wait to go back! :cool:

18 December 2003

Cathay Pacific is once again Hong Kong’s top provider in high quality products and services

Cathay Pacific Airways has once again been named one of Hong Kong's best companies and Hong Kong’s leader in providing quality services and products. The results was announced by the Far Eastern Economic Review today for its “Review 200” survey.

Respondents, mainly readers in senior management positions, were asked to rate more than 150 selected companies from 12 countries across the region according to a specified list of attributes. They include high quality services or products, management with a long-term vision, innovative in responding to customers’ needs, financially sound and a company that others try to emulate.

Among leading Hong Kong companies, the airline was ranked number two for overall leadership. In the individually ranked leadership categories, Cathay Pacific was ranked number-one in terms of offering “High quality services or product”. It was ranked second in the “Companies that others try to emulate” category, and also placed third in the “Innovative in responding to customers’ needs” category.

The airline was awarded similar accolades in last year’s Review 200. In recent months, Cathay Pacific has been given a vote of confidence by the trade, business community as well as customers from all over the world for its products and services, cargo, investor relations, crisis management and outstanding leadership. The airline was also named “Airline of the Year” as well as “Best Airline – Asia” and “Best Airline – Transpacific” in the Skytrax survey, where more than 4.4 million passengers took part.

Cathay Pacific Director & Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: “We are delighted with the results and credit goes to all Cathay Pacific staff for their commitment and hard work. As Hong Kong’s airline, we remain committed to giving all customers our best and we will continue to work hard to improve our products and services. ”

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It looks strange that the nose of the plane is not painted...:sleepy:

Cathay Pacific In Perth!
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we will fly a A340 from Cathay to go to HK in february from Amsterdam International Airport (Schiphol) :)

A340
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Awsome planes they have! Big planes too. :)

Cathay Pacific announces major expansion of freighter fleet

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced plans to add up to 13 aircraft to its freighter fleet, strengthening Hong Kong as the world’s busiest international air cargo hub.

The airline has placed an order to purchase one new Boeing 747-400F freighter, for delivery in February 2005. It will also convert at least six, and as many as 12, Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft into freighters.
The airline also intends to launch new freighter services to Beijing, Munich and points in North America, pending Government approval of already submitted applications.

Cathay Pacific will be the launch customer for the new converted Boeing 747-400 Special Freighter aircraft. The first aircraft is expected to be complete in December 2005 with five others by 2007. Boeing is working with Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. (TAECO) on the prototype modification.
The airline may convert a number of its own Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft along with others to be purchased second hand. All available options to maintain and expand its long-haul passenger fleet remain under consideration.

The aircraft will be modified with a strengthened main deck and side cargo door identical to that on the Boeing 747-400F production freighter. The Boeing 747-400 Special Freighter will have an estimated capacity of 113,490 kilogrammes and range of about 7,600 kilometres. The aircraft will be used on trunk cargo routes within Asia and to North America and Europe.
The new factory produced Boeing 747-400F will be powered by Rolls-Royce RB211-524H -T engines. It will also be used to operate to Europe, North America, as well as some regional routes. Cathay Pacific currently operates a fleet of five Boeing 747-400F and six Boeing 747-200F freighter aircraft and is the world’s sixth-largest air cargo carrier in terms of tonnage carried.

Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: “The decision to acquire both new and converted freighters makes sound economic sense, both as a way to make best use of our existing aircraft assets and to ramp up air cargo capacity in the most cost-effective way. This investment, along with our intention to launch more direct international freighter services, once again underlines our commitment to strengthen Hong Kong as a global aviation and logistics hub as competition within the region for dominance grows.”

08 January 2004

Cathay Pacific to sponsor the first-of-its kind International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that it is proud to be the title sponsor of this year’s Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade – the first of its kind in Hong Kong. This is the sixth year Cathay Pacific has sponsored the parade.

On 22 January 2004, the first day of the Lunar New Year, the Cathay Pacific float will lead 9 local and international floats accompanied by 24 performance groups from around the world to usher in the Year of Monkey. The parade will take off from the harbour-front at Tsim Sha Tsui and ply along Canton Road and Kowloon Park Drive before heading to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

This year, the airline float takes on the theme of “Cathay Pacific connects you to the world”. The float conveys the reach of Cathay Pacific’s extensive network, bringing Hong Kong people to all parts of the world. At the same time, the float also reinforces Cathay Pacific’s commitment to Hong Kong. The glowing globe reflects Hong Kong’s presence internationally and as Hong Kong’s airline, Cathay Pacific is committed to enhancing Hong Kong’s position as a global aviation hub. Like previous years, more than 100 Cathay Pacific pilots, cabin crew and airport staff will lead the float. They will hand out Cathay Pacific souvenirs to onlookers lining the route.

Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: “As Hong Kong's airline, Cathay Pacific endeavours to bring the world closer to Hong Kong and to promote the place as Asia's world city. We are delighted to be the title sponsor of the parade for the sixth consecutive year and help stage the first-of-its-kind Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade. We are also pleased to play a part in the parade and help bring performers and tourists from all over the world to celebrate with us in Hong Kong.”

Cathay Pacific will be the parade’s title sponsor for the sixth consecutive year. The Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Parade is the major celebration event for the local community during Chinese New Year. It is also an international tourist attraction with its unique blend of high quality international performances and traditional Chinese cultures.

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15 January 2004

Cathay Pacific raises almost HK$2million in first four months of “Change for Good” fund-raising programme

Cathay Pacific today announced that it has raised nearly HK$2 million over the first four months of its Change for Good inflight fundraising programme. The amount was raised between 15 August 2002 to 14 December 2003 and proceeds will help support UNICEF in their relief work for underprivileged children worldwide.

The generosity of Cathay Pacific’s passengers will go a long way in providing nutrition, safe water, vaccination, and basic education to deprived children in over 150 developing countries around the world. For the HK$2 million raised last quarter, children from Africa, Pakistan and the Philippines can be provided with school supplies and equipment. Mauritania children will benefit from the new tents in their community-based kindergartens while more than 100 community education centres can be set up in Chad.

Cathay Pacific’s Change for Good inflight programme was incepted in 1991. This unique fund raising programme appeals to passengers to donate their spare change from the leftover currencies of their trip. Over the past 12 years, Cathay Pacific has raised more than HK$47 million for UNICEF to support their relief programmes for children worldwide. The fundraising programme was formally extended from a six-month period to one year in 2001.
Like previous years, a portion of the proceeds will be donated the Wheelchair Bank, a local non-profit charity that provides specially adapted wheelchairs for children with neuromuscular diseases in Hong Kong.

Mr. Alan Wong, Cathay Pacific Corporate Communication Manager said: “As the airline of Hong Kong, we remain committed to helping the less fortunate in the community. We would like to thank the travelling public for their enthusiastic support over the years. Together we can certainly improve the lives of underprivileged children worldwide.”
Cathay Pacific passengers can simply make a donation by putting money inside the Change for Good envelope before landing, and return them back to cabin crew.
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Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen and Cathay Pacific staff encourage the travelling public to donate their spare foreign change to support UNICEF’s relief programmes in 150 developing countries.

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UNICEF’s Special Representative to Youth Mr. Leon Lai and Cathay Pacific staff together promoting Change for Good.

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Khushboo, 7 year-old Afghanistan girl, is lucky enough to receive the education at the Ghulam Haider School in Kabul, Afghanistan. The learning materials and teacher training programme was funded by the Change for Good Programme jointly organised by Cathay Pacific and UNICEF.

Cathay Pacific to recruit 500 new cabin staff 28 January 2004

Cathay Pacific Airways is recruiting 500 new cabin crew staff to handle additional flights as the airline eyes the expansion of its fleet, a spokeswoman said.

Cathay, which currently employs a cabin crew of about 5,700, will hire an extra 400 Hong Kong-based flight attendants and 100 to be based in London, said Cathay spokeswoman Maria Yu. Yu said Cathay plans to expand its 85 aircraft fleet, and is currently negotiating with Boeing and Airbus to buy new passenger jets.

Yu said Cathay is hoping to increase its three weekly flights to Beijing to daily service, and to begin flights between Hong Kong and Shanghai. Yu said the Hong Kong and Chinese governments will discuss giving Cathay permission to operate more flights to the mainland next month.

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New Business Class

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In flight entertainment system ~ StudioCX
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Business class catering:
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Cathay Pacific unveils inflight menu created by cabin crew

Cathay Pacific Airways today unveiled a special inflight menu of dishes created by the airline's Cabin Crew in a Chinese cuisine cooking competition. The 12 winning dishes from the competition will be served in First and Business Class on selected flights departing Hong Kong and Vancouver through the end of April.

As Hong Kong's airline, Cathay Pacific is committed to serving the best Chinese cuisine in the air. In recent years, the airline has worked with some of Hong Kong's top chefs and restaurants with its very successful "Best Chinese Food in the Air" promotions. This time, the airline decided to do something a little different that also showcased the cooking talent of its cabin crew.

Cathay Pacific staged its first "Simply the Best Chef" Cabin Crew Chinese Culinary Contest in December last year. Selected finalists took part in a cook-off before a panel of expert judges, which included top Hong Kong food critics Chua Lam, William Mark and Doreen Leung, and Director & General Manager of the Yung Kee Restaurant Group, Kinsen Kam.

The dish that won the special Grand Prize, Milk Pudding with Ginger Juice, created by Flight Attendants Stephen Sin and Yvonne Lam, will be served exclusively to long haul First Class passengers and prepared fresh inflight. Steven and Yvonne have been sharing the secret of their technique in demonstrations to fellow crewmembers. They say it is critical to control the milk's boiling temperature.

The other 11 winning dishes include Scallop and Shrimp Ball with Black Bean Sauce, Chinese Stewed Meat Patty, Vegetables Wrapped in Beancurd and Lobster with Spinach in Scallop Sauce. Dishes served inflight will faithfully follow the original recipes.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Inflight Services Quince Chong said: "Our cabin crew's personalised service is based on a commitment to caring, friendly, professional service that always anticipates passengers' needs. Serving 12 great tasting dishes created by cabin crew is just another that they can show that their service truly does come straight from the heart."

The 4 Gold Medal winning dishes are:

Chinese Stewed Meat Patty by Chiaki Jinnai Wu
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Scallop and Shrimp Ball with Black Bean Sauce by Sumiko Furukawa
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Milk Pudding with Ginger Juice by Stephen Sin and Yvonne Lam
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Vegetables wrap in Bean Curd Skin by Lotus Chan and Sharon Wong
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Sydney skyline as the backdrop!

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Cathay Pacific Catering Service at Hong Kong International Airport

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is Cathay better than Singapore air?

cant wait to fly with Cathay ! :)

I would say that both of them are great airlines.:angel1:

One major award that Cathay Pacific won lately is the Airline of the Year 2003 award, which is a passenger survey conducted by Skytrax. The total number of eligible nominations received during the Survey period was 4,442,526 entries. :)

Airline of the Year 2003:
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Cathay Pacific releases January 2004 traffic figures

Cathay Pacific Airways today released traffic figures for January 2004 that show continued positive growth for cargo and a record month for the airline's passenger business.

January was the airline's best month on record for passenger numbers. The airline carried 1,127,993 passengers, up from 1,111,505 in December 2003 and a 4.0 percent gain on the same month last year. On 25 January, the fourth day of the Chinese New Year holiday, the airline carried 42,922 passengers, a new one-day record. Over the holiday period, the airline operated 66 extra pairs of flights to meet peak demand.

Cargo continued its strong performance. The airline carried 69,702 tonnes of freight in January, up 2.2 percent on the same month last year, despite the short build-up to the Chinese New Year and the seasonal slowdown following the holiday. Last year's New Year fell in early February.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales & Distribution Ian Shiu said: "January was clearly our best month ever, and holiday travel demand outweighed the fact that January is not a busy month for business travel. January's figures also show that the airline has, as yet, felt no real impact from concerns about avian flu."

Cathay Pacific General Manager Cargo Kenny Tang said: "Even though the early arrival of the Chinese New Year cut short the traditionally busy run-up to the holiday, we still produced positive tonnage growth on January 2003. It is an encouraging start to the year."

Cathay Pacific Unlikely To Launch Low-Cost Airline

Hong Kong's biggest airline Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (0293.HK) is unlikely to launch a low-cost carrier, its chairman, James Hughes-Hallett said Tuesday.

Last month, the airline said it was looking into launching a no-frills carrier, in response to plans by its competitors in Asia to launch budget airlines. But Hughes-Hallett said "we're not sure the economics of the low-cost model would work in Hong Kong."
For one thing, he said, there weren't enough cheap secondary airports in Asia to justify the costs.
"There's no other airport in Hong Kong than Chek Lap Kok, for instance," he said, speaking on the sidelines of an event publicizing a logistics conference - "Logistics Hong Kong" in mid-May.
"Also, to operate a cheap carrier, you need a cheap work force. Where can you find that in Hong Kong," he said.

He added that while there were a few short-haul routes like that between Hong Kong and Taipei that could suit the low-cost model, those routes were few.
"Will people be happy flying between Hong Kong and Singapore without food?" he asked. "At this stage, we're unlikely to launch a low-cost carrier."
In December, Cathay rival Singapore Airlines Ltd. (S55.SG) said it planned to launch a low-cost carrier called Tiger Airways in mid-2004, joining other big-ticket carriers like Thai Airways International PCL (THAI.TH) and Qantas Airways Ltd. (QAN.AU) in rolling out services this year.

They are all coming into a field of budget carriers that includes Indonesia's Lion Air, Thailand's Orient Thai and Malaysia's AirAsia.
Meanwhile, Hughes-Hallett said the outbreak of bird flu in the region hadn't affected the airline's operations, in stark contrast to the outbreak of SARS last year, which forced the airline to cut 45% of its weekly flights.
"We've seen a drop in bookings, but that usually happens after Chinese New Year," Hughes-Hallett said. "As far as we can tell, there's been no effect."
Cathay is 45.85% owned by Swire Pacific Ltd. (0019.HK) and 25.5% by red chip CITIC Pacific Ltd.

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The Cathay Pacific Story

Those were the days
American Roy C Farrell and Australian Sydney H de Kantzow founded Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong on 24 September, 1946. Initially based in Shanghai, the two men eventually moved to Hong Kong and founded Cathay Pacific Airways. Legend has it that Farrell and a group of foreign correspondents thought up the airline's unique name in the bar at the Manila Hotel!
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An Investment In the Future
The new company began to operate passenger flights to Manila, Bangkok, Singapore and Shanghai. Expansion was fast and, in 1948, one of Hong Kong's leading trading companies, Butterfield & Swire (today known as the Swire Group) took a 45% share in the company. Under the leadership of John Kidston Swire, Butterfield & Swire became wholly responsible for the management of the airline. Over the next decade, our fleet expanded and improved with the introduction of First and Economy Class seating.
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Taking the Jet Age By Storm
The 1960s represented our coming of age. Between 1962 and 1967, business grew at an average rate of 20 percent a year. We also initiated international services (another world's first) to Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya in Japan.

New Horizons
In the early 1970s, we started to make use of the latest technology with our computerized reservation system and flight simulators. The first Boeing 747-200 arrived in Hong Kong in mid-1979, and by the end of the year, we had applied for traffic rights to start flying to London. As more B747's joined our fleet, we expanded our services to Europe and North America.
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The Glory Years
The 1980s was a spectacular decade for the airline industry. Amidst a worldwide economic boom - spearheaded by Asia, more business travellers, tourists and cargo were flying than ever before. It was during this decade that we expanded our international network to include London, Brisbane, Frankfurt, Vancouver, Amsterdam, Rome, San Francisco, Paris, Zurich and Manchester.

A Change of Image
The early 90s was a difficult time for the airline industry. Nonetheless, we remained positive, safe in the knowledge that Hong Kong – our home, was arguably the best location in the world for an airline. At the same time, we launched a new programme to offer unprecedented levels of passenger service. We also made another important decision – changing our green and white striped livery to the dynamic and now famous Asian "brushstroke" image.
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A World Leader
By the mid-1990s, we had assembled a fleet of aircraft that was among the youngest in the world, while our replacement programme involved orders and options for US$9 billion in new aircraft – all of which were to create a fleet that is younger and quieter.

The Unsung Hero
While our passenger services continued to grow from strength to strength, the cargo division was playing an increasingly vital role in the company's growth and expansion. Today, our cargo services contribute almost 30 percent of our revenue.

Home is Where the Heart Is
Cathay Pacific City, our headquarters located at Hong Kong International Airport, was completed in the middle of 1999. The new complex represents the confidence we have in our future and that of Hong Kong.http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/internet/cxinternet/image/en/graphics/13_pic_ourstory4.jpg

Rising to the challenges presented by the new millennium, we are making the most of recent advances in technology and communication. Chief among those is the Internet, which provides passengers with a variety of special services - all geared towards greater flying convenience.

Because, at Cathay Pacific, we don't just wait for the future. We embrace it.x

CX's Fleet

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Cathay Pacific City - Cathay Pacific's Headqaurter at Hong Kong International Airport)
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Flight Training Centre
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Flight Simulator
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CX's First Class

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Business Class

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Economy Class

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First Class catering - Hong Kong cuisine

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Big Bowl Feast

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Russia deal aids Cathay's non-stop to New York plans

JOSEPH LO

Hong Kong and Russia have reached an agreement that could pave the way for Cathay Pacific to begin non-stop flights over the North Pole to New York.
The deal, concluded by the Economic Development and Labour Bureau's air-service negotiations team yesterday after two days of talks in Moscow, allows for a more liberal relationship.

It includes provisions for a 130 per cent increase in the number of direct flights between Russian cities and Hong Kong to 32 each week and approval for the launch of code-sharing partnerships between Russian and local carriers, under which each could sell seats on flights operated by the other.
The deal also gives Cathay a 30 per cent increase in the number of flights it can fly through Russian airspace en route to other countries.

Senior Cathay officials said the development would allow the airline to seriously consider a start date for non-stop Hong Kong-New York services.
Under the previous agreement, there was little scope for Cathay to launch a service without scrapping flights to other cities on routes that also flew over Russia, such as those to Britain.
Cathay ran a trial New York-Chek Lap Kok flight - one of the longest non-stop flights in the world - in 2000 when an Airbus A340-300 flew over the mainland, Mongolia and Russia.

Russian carriers Aeroflot and Transaero Airlines operate five flights a week to Hong Kong. No Hong Kong airline flies to Russia.
Andrew Pyne, Cathay's general manager for international affairs, said that while the carrier had no immediate plans to launch services to Moscow it was interested in a code-sharing partnership with a Russian carrier before actually flying there in the future.

Close ties built with China Eastern
By Ien Cheng in Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific was pursuing a minority stake in Shanghai-based China Eastern, one of China's top carriers, until discussions were interrupted by the outbreak of Sars last year, according to a China Eastern official.

The two airlines have built increasingly close ties in recent years as Cathay has moved to position itself to benefit from the growth of China's air services market. In one initiative, groups of China Eastern cabin crew will be trained by Cathay, then work there on secondments lasting more than a year.

"Cathay Pacific is keen to develop a close working and commercial relationship with China Eastern," said Antony Tyler, director of corporate development. "Any equity participation would cement and re-inforce such a close relationship in practical and perception terms."

Despite its efforts to re-establish flights to key mainland cities, few analysts believe Cathay Pacific intends to build an extensive short-haul network in China, given political and operational challenges. But it could use a foothold in a few strategic routes to negotiate code-sharing deals and partnerships with carriers with complementary networks.

"Such partnerships are all possibilities. But we need a mainland presence before we can pursue them," said a Cathay Pacific executive.

Additional reporting by Richard McGregor in Shanghai

Cathay Pacific sells inflight crockery at G.O.D stores

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that it has teamed up with stylish Hong Kong home ware company G.O.D. to offer popular inflight items for sale to the public at G.O.D stores in Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui.
The link up was devised in response to demand from Cathay Pacific passengers who often ask whether they can buy service items during a flight. Items go on sale from today at G.O.D. in Causeway Bay and will be available at the Harbour City outlet in Tsim Sha Tsui from March.

The full range of Cathay Pacific's First and Business Class crockery which includes plates, bowls, salt and pepper shakers, cups and mugs, glasses, lacquer trays and dim sum baskets, all exclusively produced for Cathay Pacific by leading manufacturers, will be available.
Cathay Pacific Inflight Sales & Amenities Manager Anna Cheung says: "This is the first time we have sold our crockery in stores. G.O.D ties in perfectly with Cathay Pacific because we are both leading high-quality Hong Kong brands. Their products are original and their shops are located in prime locations, so this is a great opportunity for us."

Martina Chan, Head of Sales & Marketing of G.O.D. says: "We are positive that this joint promotion will increase public awareness on Hong Kong local cultural values and to promote the beauty of Hong Kong outside local community segments."
Cathay Pacific previously teamed up with G.O.D. in 2000. Passengers could order G.O.D. merchandise inflight for delivery to their home. Members of Cathay Pacific's Marco Polo Club and co-brand credit card holders can enjoy a 15% discount on purchase of Cathay Pacific items at G.O.D. worth more than HK$1,000.

G.O.D. Limited A leading home furnishing brand in Hong Kong. The mission in defining a new Asian identity, to bring Hong Kong outside Hong Kong and to capitalize on 'living better' by providing an eastern derived lifestyle concept, as an alternative to the established Western way of living. With affordable and good value for money, product categories including everything to do with the home: furniture, bathware, dinnerware, glassware, bedding, carpets, home clothes plus a few surprises.

Cathay Pacific adds flights to Taipei, Sapporo, Osaka

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced the addition of new flights to Taipei, Sapporo and Osaka, further enhancing Hong Kong as a global hub and gateway to the Chinese Mainland.

Five more services will operate to Taipei from 28 March, bringing the total number of flights to 108 per week, or about 15 flights a day. This additional capacity will offer greater choice to customers, many of whom also journey to the Chinese Mainland.

A new Saturday service will operate to Sapporo, also from 28 March, raising the frequency from three to four flights a week. The convenience of this weekend flight will widen travel choices for leisure travellers to the northern Japanese resort town. The three new flights to Osaka will start from 1 May and raise the number of services to that city from 25 to 28 each week, or four flights everyday. Tickets for all the new flights can be booked now.

Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: "Cathay Pacific's continued investment in new aircraft and steady expansion of services provides greater choice and convenience to our customers and strengthens Hong Kong's position as a global hub and gateway to the Chinese Mainland. We also plan to add more regional and long-haul services through the year."

Cathay Pacific celebrates inaugural service to Beijing

Cathay Pacific Airways today celebrated its official resumption of services to Beijing with the departure of a special inaugural service to the capital.

Joining Cathay Pacific Chairman James Hughes-Hallett are leaders of international Chambers of Commerce, local business leaders, members of the National People's Congress, delegates to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, aviation authority officials, Hong Kong Legislative Councillors and Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club members. They took today's Cathay Pacific service CX318 to Beijing.

Ahead of the departure, Mr Hughes-Hallett said: "Cathay Pacific resuming services to Beijing represents the opening of another historic chapter in the airline's history. We are grateful to the Hong Kong and Central Governments for this opportunity to once more serve the capital.

Mr Hughes-Hallett added: "As the home carrier of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific takes great pride in its commitment and contribution to Hong Kong and the Mainland. With services to Beijing, Cathay Pacific will strive to develop closer ties between Hong Kong and the capital, further strengthen Hong Kong's position as a global aviation hub and promote international tourism in the Chinese Mainland."

Over the course of a two-day visit to the capital, Mr Hughes-Hallett and members of the delegation will meet with officials from the Central Government, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Ministry of Commerce and the China National Tourism Administration.

The centrepiece of the event will be a gala dinner at which the guests of honour will be Yang Yuanyuan, Minister of General Administration of Civil Aviation Administration of China and Bowen Leung, Director of the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region in Beijing.


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Wednesday March 10, 7:26 PM
Cathay Pacific 2003 results top forecasts as it recovers from SARS

HONG KONG (AFP) - Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific reported a much better-than-expected net profit of 1.30 billion Hong Kong dollars (170 million US) for 2003 as it recovered from a disastrous SARS-induced first half loss.

"The airline came through a very testing year in remarkably good shape," the airline's chairman James Hughes-Hallett said.

"The results reflect a strong performance by the cargo business and a very welcome rebound in the passenger business in the second half of the year," he added.

Cathay Pacific Airways had a net loss of 1.24 billion dollars for the six months to June, reflecting the massive impact on travel, tourism and business generally of the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in the region.

Analysts had expected it to recover strongly with 2003 forecasts in a range of 700 million to 1.1 billion dollars but it did better than that as SARS fears eased quickly to allow a strong recovery in the industry.

The company reported a 2002 net profit of 3.98 billion dollars.

Revenues for 2003 fell to 29.58 billion dollars from 33.09 billion dollars in 2002, reflecting the impact of SARS, while yields -- the base return earned -- declined 4.6 percent to 43.3 cents per passenger kilometer flown.

Although the number of passengers fell 18 percent to 10 million, more than six million of those flew in the second half of the year, Cathay said.

Demand for cargo services remained strong throughout the year, with a record 874,724 tonnes of freight carried in 2003, up 2.8 percent, while cargo revenue increased 5.6 percent.

As the company turned the corner, Hughes-Hallett said: "Looking forward, we will continue to invest in our fleet, our product and our people in order to take advantage of new growth opportunities and enhance Hong Kong's position as a global aviation hub."

Speaking at a press conference, he said: "2004 has got off to a good start. Forward prospects are pretty good. It's most encouraging."

Cathay also announced the launch of a daily non-stop services from Hong Kong to New York -- the first in the world -- starting July 1.

Last December, Cathay resumed services to Beijing. Hughes-Hallett said he hopes to add flights to Shanghai in the future.

"We do believe that increasing flights back to the mainland is in the interest of Hong Kong and the mainland's tourism."

While SARS had badly hit the company's business last year, Hughes-Hallett said the deadly H5N1 avian flu sweeping Asia and the US has not had any depressing effects on passenger numbers.

Hong Kong was the world's second worst SARS-hit region after mainland China, with 297 dead from 1,755 infections. The territory was removed from the World Health Organization's list of areas affected by SARS in June.

Cathay had a very strong first quarter but the outbreak of SARS had a devastating impact on passenger numbers in the second quarter, which fell dramatically to below one fifth normal levels.

At the height of the SARS outbreak, Cathay issued its first ever profit warning, parked 22 aircraft and then reduced its schedule, cancelling up to half its normal services in May and June.

However, the recovery came quicker than initially expected and all suspended services were restored by late September as market conditions improved.

The company later added new flights to London, Auckland, Johannesburg, Melbourne and Rome.

Osaka and Singapore were added to its freighter network and additional services were launched to Brussels, Manchester, Milan and cities in the US.

The company said its other aviation-related service businesses were also affected to varying degrees by the SARS crisis but similarly benefited from the subsequent pickup in demand.

During the year, Cathay increased the fleet by six new aircraft, bringing total fleet size to 85 at year-end.

"We are currently studying options for the further expansion of our fleet to meet anticipated growth in demand," said Hughes-Hallett.

Cathay Pacific shares closed the morning session down 0.40 dollar or 2.44 percent to 16 before the release of the results. They closed down 30 cents at 16.10 dollars.

10 March 2004

Cathay Pacific to operate non-stop to New York

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced it will commence its daily non-stop service from Hong Kong to New York, starting 1 July. This will be the only daily non-stop service between the two cities and, with the continuation of the airline's existing one-stop service via Vancouver, Cathay Pacific will also be the only airline operating two daily services on this route.

The new service will give customers greater choice and further enhance Hong Kong as a global hub. With the addition of the new flights, Cathay Pacific will operate 72 passenger and cargo services a week between Hong Kong and North America. The airline serves 24 cities in the United States, either direct or through code share passenger services.

Cathay Pacific will operate the new service with the ultra-long-haul Airbus A340-600 and follow a route over the northern polar region. Passengers could save about three hours on the journey time and will avoid the inconvenience of having their rest disturbed during an intermediary stop. Its earlier departure time from both Hong Kong and New York also offers passengers greater flexibility making travels plans.

Cathay Pacific's A340-600 operates with an expanded Business Class cabin to reflect the anticipated popularity of the service among business travellers. There are eight First Class, 60 Business Class and 220 Economy Class seats. Given the unusually long duration of daylight hours during the Hong Kong to New York leg of the non-stop flight, additional refreshments and light snacks will be served to help passengers reset their body clocks.

The airline has recently added passenger services to London, Auckland, Johannesburg, Colombo, Osaka, Taipei and Sapporo and resumed services to Beijing.

Cathay Pacific Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive David Turnbull said: "Operating non-stop between Hong Kong and New York is a major undertaking. Our groundbreaking daily non-stop service reflects the airline's commitment to give our customers greater flexibility and choice and to strengthen Hong Kong as a global hub and gateway to the Chinese Mainland."


CX830 Hong Kong - New York
(non-stop) Daily
CX831 New York - Hong Kong
(non-stop) Daily
CX888 Hong Kong - New York
(one stop at Vancouver) Daily
CX889 New York - Hong Kong
(one stop at Vancouver) Daily

Cathay Pacific reaches New Business Class milestone

Cathay Pacific Airways today passed a major milestone with the completion of the installation of the airline's New Business Class cabin in all long-haul aircraft. The final aircraft to be refitted, a Boeing 747-400, resumed service this morning as flight CX504 to Tokyo.

Even though cabin changes are now complete, enhancements to inflight service and entertainment system — StudioCX — will continue. With the latest upgrade of the airline's Audio Video On Demand entertainment system, passengers can now enjoy more than 350 hours of audio and video entertainment whenever they like.

This revamp has been accompanied by the introduction of a brand new "Toon Time" channel and the launch of a new-look Entertainment guide, with features, reviews and "critic's picks" from a wide selection of movies and TV programmes on show. A number of other channel enhancements are also in the pipeline.

Cathay Pacific's New Business Class cabin is now in every aircraft in the its long-haul fleet, which includes Boeing B747-400, Airbus A340s and three-class Airbus A330 aircraft operating on long-haul routes.

The New Business Class product came into service in August 2001. The lay-flat seat, which extends to a full six feet and three inches, entirely redesigned cabin with subtle mood lighting and exclusive bar area for passengers to meet and mingle, set a new industry standard in inflight style and comfort.

Cathay Pacific Manager Product Sarah Blomfield said: "We are very pleased that we can now guarantee that every passenger will experience our premium Business Class service whenever they fly on our long haul aircraft. StudioCX will continue to be upgraded, but of course we are constantly reviewing other aspects of our Business Class product and service to ensure that we continue to deliver an excellent product."

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Cathay Pacific launches 10th wilderness experience programme, invites local students to take part

Cathay Pacific and its local Co-organiser The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups are extending an invitation to Hong Kong students aged between 16 and 18 to take part in the Cathay Pacific International Wilderness Experience Programme 2004. The nine-day ecological course will take place from 21 to 30 July 2004 at the Entabeni Game Reserve in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the programme and 50 international students from Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, New Zealand, Bahrain, and South Africa will be invited to take part.

Successful applicants will be flown to the wilderness in South Africa where they will be guided by a team of highly qualified Educational Officers and experience nature through hikes, camping trips and wildlife observation. They will also share each other's cultural heritage through wedding role-play, group discussion, as well as introduce their traditional songs and dances. In Hong Kong, successful candidates will have the opportunity to participate in a leadership training programme organised by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups prior departure.

Cathay Pacific will absorb all costs, including air tickets, course fees, accommodation, meals, and ground transportation in South Africa. Participating students in Hong Kong will only have to pay HK$500 for their travel insurance and training package.

Programme details and an online application form can be found at www.cathaypacific.com and www.u21.org.hk. Application forms can also be collected at the following venues:

* Swire Group Public Affairs Office (35/F, Two Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong)
* Cathay Pacific Ticketing Office (10/F, Peninsula Office Tower, Tsim Sha Tsui)
* Cathay Pacific City (8 Scenic Road, HK International Airport, Lantau)
* The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (G/F, 54 Bedford Road, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon) and other HKFYG units.

Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said, "As the international airline, Cathay Pacific is committed to the community and is especially focused on youth education and environmental protection."

He is also delighted to meet a past delegate Suria and learned that she is now a teacher and is actively promoting environmental protection to her students. Suria was one of the Hong Kong delegates who took part in the wilderness programme back in 1995.

Executive Director of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Dr. Rosanna Wong said, "Youth needs an international vision and it is our mission to help it flourish." She also encouraged young people to take part in this special exchange programme so as to broaden their knowledge of the world and to enrich their experience of life.

Since its inception in 1994, the wilderness programme has seen over 400 students taking part in this nature experience. The Entabeni Game Reserve consists of over 10,000 hectares of natural scenery and vegetation. Participants will get up close and personal to a wide variety of wild- and plant-life, including the Big Five (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard) as well as more than 80 species of mammals and 380 species of birds.

The application deadline is 1 May 2004. For further details, please call 2747-5210 or 2561-6149.
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Mud fight shows the students from difference races that they are all the same.

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Students get to know about the ecological environment during the Interpretative Walk led by the programme officials. This is followed by a Treasure Hunt, where they will put their knowledge to test in a fun activity.

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Officiating guests encourages youngsters aged 16 and 18 to take part in the 10th anniversary of the Cathay Pacific International Wilderness Experience Programme. From left: Programme Ambassador Ms Nancy Wu, Education and Manpower Bureau Principal Education Officer (Curriculum Development) Mr Anthony Poon, Cathay Pacific's Director and Chief Operating Officer Mr. Philip Chen, Executive Director of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Dr. Rosanna Won as well as Programme Ambassadors Mr. Samuel Chan.

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Since its inception in 1994, the Wilderness programme has seen over 400 students taking part in this nature experience Cathay Pacific. Past delegates shared their unforgettable experience at the kick-off ceremony.

China's Ambassador Joins Cathay Pacific to celebrate 20 years of services To Germany

The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in the Federal Republic of Germany Mr Ma Canrong joined Cathay Pacific Airways Director and Chief Operating Officer Mr Philip Chen to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the airline's services to Germany.

Cathay Pacific launched passenger services to Frankfurt on 1984 with three flights a week. Now, the airline connects the two cities with 17 weekly flights, including a daily passenger service and 10 dedicated freighter services.

Frankfurt is the world's third-busiest airport with over 48 million passengers passing through the airport in 2003. Hong Kong is Asia's busiest international airport with more than 33 million passengers a year.

To add more colour to the 20th anniversary, the airline's special livery "Asia's World City" aircraft visited Berlin, Germany's capital city, where Mr Ma met with Mr Chen. The aircraft then took the guests to Frankfurt for the official anniversary ceremony.

Speaking in Frankfurt, Mr Chen said: "With a history of 20 dedicated years' service we are proud of the contribution we have made to construct strong links between Asia's and Europe's leading aviation hubs. Frankfurt was Cathay Pacific's first freighter destination and it remains one of the top-performing routes on our network. As Hong Kong's carrier we are actively looking into the possibility of expanding our services to Germany in order to further strengthen Hong Kong as a leading global aviation hub."

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Government officials in Berlin warmly greeted guests of Cathay Pacific's "Asia World City" aircraft when they landed on the Berlin Schoenefeld Airport making history for the airline as the first flight to the capital city of Berlin.

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The operating crew of Cathay Pacific celebratory flight from Frankfurt to Berlin celebrates the company's 20th anniversary of service to Germany.

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Cathay Pacific brings its own uniform fashion show - "Walking on Air" - from Hong Kong to the stage of Frankfurt to celebrate the airline's 20 years of operation to the city.

Cathay Pacific offers 670 jobs at Youth Expo

Cathay Pacific Airways was one of the key participants in today's Youth Expo, offering 600 Flight Attendant vacancies along with 70 openings for Customer Service Officers based at Hong Kong International Airport. The airline's counter at the expo was busy throughout the day, with a host of young job seekers finding out more about the vacancies and submitting applications.

The Youth Expo was organised by the Labour Department of the HKSAR Government and attracted many young people to the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai. At the Cathay Pacific counter, visitors were given insights into the job nature and requirements of the relevant openings. Many of those who brought the necessary documentation with them were able to submit applications on site.

Cathay Pacific is adding new frontline staff as it continues to expand its fleet and services. The airline recently added extra passenger services to Osaka, Sapporo and Taipei and on 1 July will launch a new daily non-stop service to New York, creating a double-daily service on the route. Cathay Pacific also plans to add more aircraft to its fleet in the near future.

Cathay Pacific Director Personnel William Chau said: "As Hong Kong's airline we are committed to strengthen the territory's position as a leading global aviation hub and to further develop our network out of Hong Kong. At the same time, we are pleased to be able to create more jobs locally and provide training for Hong Kong people."

Cathay Pacific's workforce currently numbers around 14,300 people, of which more than 11,000 are based in Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific releases March 2004 traffic figures

Cathay Pacific Airways today released traffic figures for March 2004 that show a record month for cargo and strong performance during the first quarter of the year for both its passenger and cargo operations.

In March, the airline carried 1,036,623 passengers, up from the 933,604 carried in February and a 13.2 percent increase over March 2003. This relatively sharp upturn from last March reflects not only the continued strength of current business but also how SARS was starting to take a toll on passenger bookings this time a year ago.

Cargo recorded a record month with 89,640 tonnes of freight carried, up from 76,937 tonnes in February and a 10.7 percent increase on March last year. Last year’s cargo business was impacted less by SARS. During the month, the airline also set a new one-week cargo uplift record of 21,000 tonnes – the equivalent of about 200 fully laden Boeing 747 freighters. More than half of that amount was carried in the bellies of passenger aircraft.

Cumulative figures for the first quarter show that passenger numbers increased 4.2 percent over the same period last year and cargo tonnage grew by 11.8 percent. Capacity measured in terms of Available Tonne Kilometres (ATKs) increased by 6.9 percent year-on-year.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales & Distribution Ian Shiu said: “Although it’s hard to make a meaningful year-on-year comparison, the fact that we carried more than one million passengers in March shows that business was good. March figures also capped a strong first quarter during which we saw steady growth in business traffic, in particular on long-haul routes. North Asia was the only weak spot with a slight falloff in the leisure travel market.”

Cathay Pacific Director Sales & Marketing James Barrington said: “A very strong first quarter for cargo, which included a new one-week tonnage uplift record of 21,000 tonnes, has been supported by sustained demand from major markets in Europe, Japan and the United States in particular, where companies are rebuilding depleted inventories. Normally, cargo business peaks before a major holiday and softens directly after, but we expect this year’s post-Easter slowdown to be short.”

Cathay Pacific orders eight new regional aircraft

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced it has placed firm orders for eight more wide-body regional aircraft as part of its plan to grow the airline and further enhance Hong Kong as a leading international aviation hub. The order will expand the airline's operating fleet to 94 aircraft.

Orders have been placed for two Boeing 777-300 aircraft and six Airbus 330-300 aircraft, all of which will be deployed on the airline's short- and medium-haul regional services. Three of the Airbus aircraft will be leased through the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).

The aircraft will be delivered from 2005 to 2007. The Boeing aircraft will be in a two-class configuration and will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines. The Airbus aircraft will use Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. Five of the Airbus aircraft will be in a two-class configuration, while the A330-300 due for delivery in August 2006 will have a three-class cabin.

In conjunction with the arrival of the new aircraft and Cathay Pacific's continued growth, the airline also aims to hire more operating crew and ground staff over the next three years. In line with its recent expansion of services, including the addition of a new daily non-stop service to New York from 1 July, the airline is currently in the process of recruiting 600 flight attendants and 70 ground staff to be based at Hong Kong International Airport.

Cathay Pacific Airways Deputy Chairman & Chief Executive David Turnbull said: "The acquisition of eight more aircraft reflects our plan to grow the airline and demonstrates our continued commitment to Hong Kong. The aircraft will enable the airline to increase services and strengthen our network and at the same time help to further develop Hong Kong as a leading global aviation hub. Our expansion will also help us to provide more job openings for local people."

Mr Turnbull added that Cathay Pacific has plans to expand its long-haul fleet and will make an announcement to this effect in due course. The airline currently operates a fleet of 86 wide-body aircraft.

Cathay Pacific Airways fleet profile

Aircraft operated by CX: 86
10 Boeing 777-300
5 Boeing 777-200
19 Boeing 747-400
5 Boeing 747-400 freighters
6 Boeing 747-200 freighters
15 Airbus A340-300
23 Airbus A330-300
3 Airbus A340-600

Average age of passenger aircraft in service: 7.0 years

Number of aircraft due for delivery: 8

Welcome back, Cathay Pacific!
:hi:

Hong Kong Island
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Shatin new town(Note the downtown at the backdrop)
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photo taken from HKADB

Recent meal in the economy class:

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Menu
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Economy Class
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In-flight magazine
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Cathay Pacific launches new "Best Chinese Food in the Air" with the Peninsula Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced a new season of its successful "Best Chinese Food in the Air" promotion, teaming up with The Peninsula Hong Kong to offer passengers a selection of dishes from its acclaimed Spring Moon Chinese restaurant. The special menu will be served in all classes on virtually all Cathay Pacific flights from Hong Kong from 1 May until 31 October 2004.

The Peninsula Hong Kong is hailed as one of the world's greatest hotels, with a reputation for the highest standards of service and hospitality. The superb quality of its Spring Moon Chinese restaurant is enhanced by its elegant art-deco style decoration. Its famous tea counter with over 25 selected Chinese teas and professionally trained tea masters in attendance add to the dining experience.

More than 30 special Spring Moon dishes will be served on Cathay Pacific flights. Among them "Prawns with Snow Fungus and Chrysanthemum in a Clear Broth", which was created exclusively for Cathay Pacific by Chef Ho Pui Yung, Executive Chef - Spring Moon of The Peninsula. The unusual combination of seafood and chrysanthemum came about when Chef Ho, while tasting a new seafood dish, refreshed himself with a cup of chrysanthemum tea. The chrysanthemum and seafood tastes matched perfectly in his mouth, thus inspiring his new soup.

Other dishes on the menu include Lamb Chops with Leeks in Gravy, Steamed Prawns with Egg White Sauce, Braised Beef Brisket with Broad Bean Sauce and Steamed Sliced Sea Bass with Preserved Vegetables.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Inflight Services Quince Chong said: "We are delighted to offer Cathay Pacific passengers the chance to sample dishes from one of Hong Kong's finest restaurants at the world's top hotel. This partnership demonstrates once again our commitment to offer premium inflight dining to our passengers."

The Peninsula Hong Kong's Hotel Manager, Rainy Chan said: "We are extremely honoured to be the first hotel invited by Cathay Pacific to participate in this successful promotion to showcase the best gourmet dishes Hong Kong has to offer."

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Spring Moon's Chef Ho Pui Yung demonstrates the cooking of Lamb Chops with Leeks in Gravy, one of the signature dishes in Cathay Pacific's new "Best Chinese Food in the Air" menu.

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Chef Ho Pui Yung of Spring Moon (left) shares the secrets of his unique recipe with Chef Wun Pak Shun of Cathay Pacific Catering Services (right).

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Chef Wun Pak Shun of Cathay Pacific Catering Services delivers the new menu from The Peninsula to Cathay Pacific flights.

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Prawns with Snow Fungus and Chrysanthemum in a Clear Broth

Dragon Air is a regional airline based in Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. is one of their shareholders.

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14 April 2004
BEST AIRLINE - CHINA FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

(HONG KONG) Dragonair has been voted Best Airline - China for the third consecutive year in the Skytrax passenger survey.

Conducted by Skytrax Research of the UK, the world's "largest" passenger survey was undertaken over the 10 months from June 2003 to March 2004, with the number of eligible nominations for Airline of the Year totalling 10.8 million.

"To be voted Best Airline - China for a third consecutive year in the Skytrax survey is a huge compliment by the travelling public to all the staff at Dragonair," said Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hui. "The results reaffirm that Dragonair remains the airline of choice to the China Mainland.
He continued: "In the best traditions of Hong Kong, we are dedicated to bringing the best possible travel experience to our customers, and recognition of our efforts in this survey will encourage us to aim for even greater heights of satisfaction in future."

Mr. Hui also congratulated Hong Kong International Airport, which was named Airport of the Year for the fourth year in a row following voting by 4.8 million travellers.
"Dragonair's service in the air and Hong Kong International Airport's facilities and service on the ground make an unbeatable combination as the aviation gateway to China, and we are committed to maintaining that position," he said.

The independent Skytrax survey asks travellers to name Best in Category airlines "from a qualitative aspect - encompassing the quality of front-line product and service in both airport and onboard areas".

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DOUBLE-DIGIT RISES IN PASSENGER AND FREIGHT NUMBERS IN MARCH21 April 2004

(HONG KONG) Passenger numbers and cargo volumes both posted double-digit month-on-month rises in March, taking freight to a new monthly record.

Strong demand over the month resulted in a 24.9% jump in the number of people flying compared with February: 346,969 passengers, up from 277,702. The number was also higher than the 296,586 passengers that Dragonair flew in March 2003, a month when the impact of the SARS outbreak first began to be felt on travel.

"Business travel continues to be strong," said Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hui. "However, the yield overall remains under pressure."

A double-digit increase was also recorded in the amount of cargo uplifted in March compared with both one month earlier and the same month in 2003.

Dragonair carried 27,485 tonnes of freight, up 17.0% on February and 18.7% on March last year. The figure was a monthly record for the airline, beating the previous mark of 26,452 tonnes set in November 2003.

"The first quarter was very strong for us, with 13,659 more tonnes carried in the first three months of this year than were carried in the same period last year," said Mr. Hui.

"The main reasons behind the year-on-year rise are the increases we have implemented in frequency. These have been underpinned by the general strength of the cargo market, especially in Hong Kong and the Mainland."

He continued: "We expect the strong momentum to be carried forward into April."

Cathay Pacific kicks off Lantau tree planting programme

Cathay Pacific Airways today kicked off a new programme to plant 10,000 tress in a Lantau country park as part of an environment regeneration programme.

Airline staff, their families and members of the Cathay Pacific "I Can Fly" community programme planted the first 800 saplings at Pak Kung Au, Lantau Peak, Lantau Island. Among the 10,000 trees to be planted over the next three years will be 8 native and 6 exotic species.

They were joined by Cathay Pacific Director Corporate Development Tony Tyler, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Deputy Director Lau Sin Pang, JP, Friends of the Earth Director Mei Ng and TV personality Ada Choi. This is the second time that Cathay Pacific has sponsored the Friends of the Earth Corporate Afforestation Scheme, which is also supported by the Government's Agriculture and Fisheries Department. In 1998, the airline took part in a similar tree planting scheme in Sai Kung Country Park.

Cathay Pacific Director Corporate Development Tony Tyler said: "Cathay Pacific is a committed supporter of environmental projects in Hong Kong and we are delighted to be able to be a part of a tree planting programme located close to our headquarters on Lantau Island."

The airline's Environment Office has initiated a number of projects to improve environmental standards, including cabin air quality monitoring and implementing a comprehensive waste strategy for ground and inflight operations. Cathay Pacific staff also participate in various activities to increase their awareness of the importance of environmental issues.

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Cathay Pacific wins Platinum SuperBrand award

Cathay Pacific Airways today was pleased to announce it received a Platinum award in the Reader’s Digest Asia’s SuperBrands Survey 2004. The airline has been a SuperBrand winner in a number of previous years.

The survey seeks to identify the most appealing brands to Asian consumers across 41 categories. “SuperBrand” status is given to those that win customers’ recognition for outstanding quality and service.

The survey was carried out in six key Asian markets: Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. More than 6,000 people joined the survey, 1,000 in each country. Nielsen Media Research evaluated the survey results.

Respondents were, unprompted, asked to name their most preferred brand for each category, then rate that brand on a scale of 1 to 5 for five key attributes: quality, value, trustworthiness, strong image and understanding customers’ needs.

To achieve the SuperBrands status, a company needs a high level of consumer awareness plus outstanding performance on the five key attributes section.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Corporate Communication Alan Wong said: "We are delighted to be awarded Platinum SuperBrand status from the Reader's Digest and its readers. We would like to thank all of our customers who voted for us as and our dedicated staff who made it possible."

CX is indeed one of my favorite airlines in Asia. Hopefully I will have a chance to fly them on my way back from the Philippines next January. BTW thanks for the pics, City of Life! :)

Never been on CX, but I heard the service is great, nice asian food, good customer service. but this comes at a premium tho, means higher air fares compared to SIA. I still like to travel on SIA 777. Just good service all round.

skyblade: not at all!

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http://picserver.student.utwente.nl/view_image.php/IL99GPJ7Q523/picserver.jpeg :)

Economy Class
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Business Class will be posted here soon~:P

05 May 2004

Cathay Pacific announces succession plans

Mr. James Hughes-Hallett, Chairman of Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., will be leaving Hong Kong at the end of the year to take up a new role in London as Chairman of John Swire & Sons Ltd.

Subject to the Board’s approval, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive David Turnbull will succeed Mr. Hughes-Hallett to become Chairman of the airline. Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen will succeed Mr. Turnbull to become Chief Executive. Director Corporate Development Tony Tyler will succeed Mr. Chen to become Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Turnbull, born in 1955, has been a director of the company since January 1994. He was appointed Managing Director in December 1996 and has been Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive since July 1998. He is also currently Chairman of Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd., and a director of Swire Pacific Ltd. and John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Ltd. He joined the Swire group in 1976.

Mr. Chen, born in 1955, has been a director and Chief Operating Officer of the airline since July 1998. He joined the Swire group in 1977.

Mr. Tyler, born in 1955, joined the Swire group in 1977. He was appointed to the position of Director Corporate Development in November 1996.

Tuesday May 11, 7:13 PM

Cathay Pacific April Traffic Up 6% Vs Mar;Cargo Vol Dn

HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (0293.HK) said Tuesday its passenger traffic for April rose 6% on month due to a rebounding world economy and an uptick in leisure travel out of Hong Kong.

The airline said it carried 1.10 million passengers last month, up from 1.04 million in March. April's passenger load factor averaged 77%, up from 73.6% in March.

Cargo volumes in April eased to 76,992 tons from a record 89,640 tons in the previous month, mainly due to long holidays in China and Japan in April. The airline's cargo load factor fell to 69.8% from 73% previously.

The company said it had carried more than 1 million passengers and more than 78,000 tons of cargo each month in the January to April period.

"These figures are higher than those for the same four-month period in 2002, a very good year," the company said in a statement.

There are recurring rumours that CX is not very happy with its 346 and could dump them (they are leased right now) in favour of B777-300ER. I suppose Airbus will try to give them a good deal on the newest 346IGW that Emirates ordered last year.

I think we will have an answer to that question this year as traffic is rebounding.

As far as I know, CX is really not satisfied with their 346~~~

Cathay Pacific wins Robb Report 'Best of the Best' Award

Cathay Pacific Airways today is pleased to announce it has been named the winner of the United States' most prestigious luxury lifestyle and travel award. Cathay Pacific was the world's only airline named "Best of the Best" in the 16th annual Robb Report awards for the "world’s most exceptional products and services".

Robb Report is the international authority on the luxury lifestyle. Each month, the magazine reports on issues and trends affecting the affluent market, with coverage of exclusive events and features on exceptional automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft, art, jewellery, watches, fashion, wines, homes and travel.

The award was decided upon the independent reports of travel writers and editors from around the world in the course of the past year. Cathay Pacific was cited for its ability to provide First Class travellers with "spacious sleeper seats, scrumptious menu selections, world-class lounges, and first-rate hospitality".

Cathay Pacific Director Service Delivery Robert Cutler said: "We strive to provide the very best service to all our customers, both on the ground and in the air. Cathay Pacific being recognised as the "Best of the Best" is testament to our commitment to all our passengers and to the hard work and dedication of all our staff. We are delighted to receive this award."

Business Class
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OAG Airline of the Year Awards

Best Trans-Pacific Airline
Winner: Cathay Pacific Airways

04 June 2004
Cathay Pacific garners double recognitions

Cathay Pacific Airways’ superior facilities and customer services have been honoured with two awards recently.

The Airline has been voted as having the word’s best lounge in the 2004 Skytrax survey. In addition, Cathay Pacific has also been named “best of the best” in the Top Service Award voted by readers of Next Magazine.

The Airline Lounge survey conducted by world renowned consulting firm Skytrax Research attracted more than 1.4 million eligible nominations during a 10-month survey period.

The airline’s Passenger Lounges at the HKIA, the Wing and the Pier, take the top honour in the overall Best Lounge category. It also got top ratings for both Best First Class Lounge and Best Business Class Lounge.

Voters were asked to consider a range of criteria including Seating Capacity, Lounge Decor and Ambience, Business Facilities, Washrooms, Showers and Leisure Amenities, Food and Beverage Selections, Efficiency of Staff and Friendliness and Attitude of Lounge Staff.

On the other hand, Cathay Pacific has, for the eight consecutive year, won the Top Service Award in the airline category in a survey conducted by Next Magazine, one of the most widely circulated weekly general interest magazine in Hong Kong.

This year, the Airline is also granted the Top Service Gold Award, as the public ballot of Cathay Pacific has topped the winners from the twenty categories.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Inflight Services Quince Chong said, “We are delighted to see the hard work from our staff receives recognitions from the public. My heartfelt thanks go to every one of them. We shall continue our commitment to furnish ‘Service Straight from the Heart’ to our customers in the future.”

Comments submitted alongside the votes to CX from readers include: “CX cares for its customers”, “integrated high technology into its service”, “its services has the human touch”, “taking into consideration the local tastes, from inflight meals to IFE”, “staff willing to take up extra works”, “The Company listens what its staff say”, and “The Management is considerate”.

Big Airbus on radar as Cathay seeks cost cuts
Keith Wallis, HK Standard

Cathay Pacific Airways is unlikely to buy Boeing's new 7E7 Dreamliner passenger jet, but it is interested in the Airbus A380 super-jumbo, a senior executive says.

This comes as it seeks further cost cuts to offset the high price of fuel.

Speaking on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association annual conference yesterday, corporate development director Tony Tyler said the 200-250-passenger Boeing 7E7 "was probably too small'' to fit in with Cathay Pacific's regional and transcontinental network.

Cathay Pacific already operates Airbus A330-300s, which can seat 250 to 311 passengers, on intra-Asian and medium-haul services.

In April it ordered eight jets - six Airbus 330-300s and two Boeing 777-300s - for delivery between 2005 and 2007 to expand its regional fleet.

Boeing is planning three versions of the 7E7, although only two models are being offered at present - the 7E7-800, capable of flying 200 passengers 13,500 kilometres, and the 250-seat 7E7-900, which can fly 15,000 kilometres.

All Nippon Airways became the launch customer of the 7E7 after agreeing to buy 50, while Air New Zealand last week confirmed an order for two aircraft.

Tyler said the A380 would be a "strong candidate'' for many of Cathay Pacific's transcontinental routes, including services to Europe and North America. But he ruled out any immediate plans to buy the plane, which can seat up to 555 passengers when it enters service with Singapore Airlines in three years' time.

Tyler, who becomes chief operating officer at the end of this year, said Cathay Pacific is assessing its requirements for long-range aircraft.

These includes Airbus A380s and A340-500s and 600s, together with Boeing 777-300ERs and 200LRs.

Cathay Pacific operates three A340-600s that will be used to launch non-stop services to New York next month. .

Cathay Pacific also flies a shorter-range model of the 777-300s. Boeing delivered its first 777-300ER to Air France in April, while the 777-200LR will not enter service until next year.

Tyler said Cathay Pacific is also looking at an advanced version of the Boeing 747-400, although Boeing has yet to launch the aircraft programme.

Cathay Pacific is also in talks to buy up to 12 second-hand 747-400s, some of which will be converted to freighters.

Tyler said that while passenger growth could rise by up to 7 per cent this year, the airline would speed up cost reductions to offset high fuel costs.

Last year, Cathay Pacific aimed to reduce costs by 10 per cent by 2007 on the assumption oil prices would be about US$30 (HK$234) per barrel.

If oil prices remain high, Tyler said: "We'll have to find other ways to save costs. We hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.''

He believed the price of oil would settle over the next few months at US$30-US$35 a barrel.

9 June 2004 / 02:04 AM

Cathay Pacific targets fleet of 100
Jonathan Tam, HK Standard

Cathay Pacific Airways will increase its fleet to 100 aircraft "very soon'' and explore new routes to facilitate its expansion, chief operating officer Philip Chen said yesterday.

Speaking at a business luncheon in New York City, Chen said Cathay Pacific will "announce very soon'' a decision to either buy or lease new aircraft made by Airbus and Boeing, including additional 747-400s.

The airline, which currently operates 86 aircraft, ordered six Airbus A330s and two Boeing 777s in April in a deal worth about HK$8 billion. The aircraft will be delivered between 2005 and 2007.


Speaking in Singapore earlier in the week, Cathay Pacific director of corporate development Tony Tyler confirmed Cathay was in talks to acquire a raft of pre-owned Boeing 747-400s, some of which would be converted to cargo planes.

Tyler also said the carrier is studying its long-term fleet requirements which include possible orders for the double-deck Airbus A380, long-range A340-500 and 600s and extended and long-range Boeing 777s, and an advanced version of the Boeing 747-400.

"We are poised to begin a period of significant expansion and we are now exploring the scope for adding a range of exciting new routes. This means huge investment,'' Chen said in New York.

The reviving global tourism business has been encouraging airlines to expand after going through a severe downturn due to the September 11 terrorist attack, the Sars outbreak and the war in Iraq over the past three years.

Cathay Pacific will launch its first daily direct flight from Hong Kong to New York on July 1, delayed by the weak US economy in 2001 and the Sars outbreak in Hong Kong last year.

Instead of flying across the Pacific Ocean, the planes will fly north, via China, Mongolia, Russia, then across the North Pole and Canada before landing in New York. The airline now runs daily flights between the two cities with a transit stopover in Vancouver.

During the past year, Cathay has added services to Beijing, Colombo, Taipei and Sapporo.

It has already won preliminary agreement to fly between London and New York to complete its round-the-world network following talks last year between Hong Kong and British air service negotiators.

But the final go-ahead by bureaucrats at the European Commission is still awaited.

Chen dismissed concerns that the possible opening of direct links between China and Taiwan could harm Cathay saying it had been diversifying its revenue from Taiwan by making Hong Kong a stopover for other places such as the US and Europe, rather than the mainland.

"I'm sure we'll attract many Taiwanese to come to Hong Kong for the direct flight to New York,'' he said.

He also said that once the cross-strait links were liberalised, it would mean more travel restrictions on mainlanders would be lifted, and Hong Kong would therefore receive more tourists.

Chen said although budget airlines have been making some buzz in Asia, they may not be as successful as those in the US and Europe because there were fewer cheaper secondary airports in Asia than other areas.

11 June 2004 / 02:15 AM

The Best First Class in the World
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Cathay Pacific celebrates non-stop service to New York with 500 guests at gala dinner

Cathay Pacific Airways today staged a gala celebration for its new daily non-stop service between Hong Kong and New York, with close to 500 guests attending the event in New York City.

The gala evening was hosted by Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen at fashionable restaurant Cipriani. A delegation from the Hong Kong Government, business community and local media travelled to New York with him.

During the event, Cathay Pacific was presented with the Robb Report award, the United States’ most prestigious luxury lifestyle and travel award. Cathay Pacific was the world’s only airline named “Best of the Best” in the 16th annual Robb Report awards for the “world’s most exceptional products and services”.

Gala guests also enjoyed the airline’s “Walking on Air” stage show that showcases Cathay Pacific’s history and cabin crew uniforms through the ages.

With the launch of the new service on 1 July, Cathay Pacific will be the only airline to operate a daily non-stop flight between the two cities as well as a second daily one-stop service via Vancouver.

Cathay Pacific wrote aviation history when it made the world’s first ever non-stop commercial flight over the North Pole from New York to Hong Kong on 5 July 1998. In so doing, the airline paved the way that all airlines operating trans-polar flights to Asia now follow.

Speaking at the gala dinner, Mr Chen said: “We are delighted to start the only daily non-stop service that will take passengers only 16 hours to travel between two of the world’s most important business hubs on the world’s newest commercial aircraft, the Airbus 340-600. The new service will offer unbeatable choice and connectivity, further strengthening links between the two hubs. As the home carrier of Hong Kong, we are delighted to be able to play a part in bringing the world closer together.

“With our existing one-stop service via Vancouver we will be the only airline to offer passengers the choice of two flights between New York and Hong Kong every day. The new service underlines our commitment to give customers greater flexibility and to strengthen Hong Kong as a global hub,” Mr Chen said.

The addition of the new flight means that Cathay Pacific will operate 72 passenger and cargo services a week between Hong Kong and North America. The airline serves 24 cities in the United States, either directly or through code share passenger services.

24 June 2004
Cathay Pacific adds daily non-stop service to Sydney

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that from 31 October 2004, it will add an additional non-stop flight to Sydney, creating a thrice-daily service to Sydney everyday of the week. Cathay Pacific now offers the most frequencies between Hong Kong and Sydney as well as Australia than any other airlines. The new service will bring the total number of flights to Sydney to 21 weekly. The total number of flights to Australia will also be increased to 43 per week.

The airline currently operates a double-daily non-stop service between Hong Kong and Sydney. The new flight will give customers more flexibility and choice - creating shorter connecting times for European travellers to Sydney and allows for morning connections in Hong Kong to onward destinations in North Asia. The new service is now open for booking and will be operated by an Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: “With a third daily service to Sydney, Cathay Pacific is strengthening Hong Kong as a global hub creating even greater connections to more major cities throughout the world. The new service offers even greater flexibility and provides access to more connections across our entire network. It will also further enhance Hong Kong’s position as a global aviation hub.”

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The world's best airport lounges
By Nick Easen for CNN
Thursday, June 24, 2004 Posted: 12:11 AM EDT (0411 GMT)

Airline lounges are designed to be welcome retreats, away from the hustle and bustle of busy terminals.

(CNN) -- If you thought European or North American airlines provided the best airport lounges for executive comfort, think again.

If you have a layover on your next trip and you are looking for a lounge to relax in or catch up with office work, make sure it is in the Asia-Pacific or Middle East.

According to one of the largest yearly surveys, airlines from these two regions have the best airport lounges, taking the top five positions.

Recently Cathay Pacific Airways was voted as having the world's best lounge in the 2004 Skytrax poll. It also emerged top overall for first and business class lounges.

"We are delighted to receive such overwhelming support from our customers," Cathay Pacific General Manager Quince Chong said in a statement.

"It is testament to the dedication and hard work of all our staff, both on the ground and in the air."

For first class, Emirates, Gulf Air, South African Airways and Thai International followed behind Cathay Pacific.

Cathay's closest rivals for business class honors were Gulf, Emirates, SAS and Qantas.

UK-based Skytrax Research conducted the survey over a ten-month period, and attracted more than 1.4 million votes.

Voters were asked to evaluate a range of criteria including seating capacity, lounge decor, business facilities, washrooms, showers and leisure amenities, food and beverage selections, as well as the efficiency, friendliness and attitude of lounge staff.

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific pushed Emirates off the top after the Dubai-based airline won the accolade last year.

Signature touches throughout these award-winning lounges can now include: showers, wireless Internet access and 24-hour refreshments with bar services, including gourmet selections.

BEST AIRPORT LOUNGES
1. Cathay Pacific
2. Emirates
3. Gulf Air
4. Malaysia Airlines
5. Qantas
6. SAS Scandinavian Airlines
7. Virgin Atlantic
8. Asiana Airlines
9. British Airways
10. South African Airways
Source: Skytrax Survey 2004

In detail:

First Class Lounge - 2004 rating

1.Cathay Pacific
2.Emirates
3.Gulf Air
4.South African Airways
5.Thai Airways

Business Class Lounge - 2004 rating

1.Cathay Pacific
2.Gulf Air
3.Emirates
4.SAS Scandinavian
5.Qantas Airways


BEST LOUNGE - Final rankings

1.Cathay Pacific
2.Emirates
3.Gulf Air
4.Malaysia Airlines
5.Qantas
6.SAS Scandinavian Airlines
7.Virgin Atlantic
8.Asiana Airlines
9.British Airways
10.South African Airways

:)

I saw TV ads for Cathay and they were showcasing their A340-600 which leads me to think that the rumours of CX being unhappy about the plane and planning to withdraw it from service is probably BS.

Economy Class Meals
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Customer Survey
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A340-600
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Away from Home
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Welcome Home
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1 July 2004
Cathay Pacific launches only daily non-stop service to New York

Cathay Pacific today launched a new non-stop service between Hong Kong and New York, making it the only airline to offer a daily non-stop and second daily one-stop service between the two cities. The new service further strengthens Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s leading aviation hub.

Flight CX830, operated by the ultra-long-haul Airbus 340-600 departed Hong Kong International Airport at 10:15AM to follow a direct route over the North Pole. Cathay Pacific is the first airline to operate this new aircraft non-stop to the far side of the world. The flight’s captain, Mark Micallef-Eynaud, estimated the journey time to New York’s Kennedy Airport would be 14 hours 35 minutes, meaning the flight may arrive even earlier than scheduled.

The service is expected to be popular with business travellers as it offers greater flexibility and choice of when to travel, a valuable saving on the journey time and the benefit of not being disturbed by stopping mid-way through the flight. Bookings for the first flight from Hong Kong to New York are full and are very strong in the coming months.

To celebrate the new service, double Asia Miles are being offered to Asia Miles members who book to travel on the non-stop service between 01 July and 30 September.

“The non-stop flight is very exciting and I am very happy to have this choice,” said Business Class passenger Peter Dunne, a resident of both Hong Kong and New York and a Diamond Marco Polo Club member. “I fly maybe 250,000 miles a year, and to save a few hours on my journey time is terrific. When I get to New York I have to drive a couple of hours and this flight’s early arrival means I will avoid the city traffic.”

Sheri Witthoft, travelling with her three children, Andrew, Anna and Olin, said she flies with her family to New York at least once a year. “I’ve lived in Hong Kong for 13 years and travelled with kids for 13 years and I am very glad I can now fly non-stop. Before, we might go via Tokyo and end up changing planes maybe three times. We’re also thrilled about flying over the North Pole.”

Cathay Pacific’s Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: “Our new non-stop service to New York underlines our commitment to growing the airline and building connections from Hong Kong to other major global centres. In addition to offering the only daily non-stop service and twice-daily service, we are the only airline to offer a full premium three-class product on the route. We are confident the route will be very successful. ”

The non-stop flight will feature Cathay Pacific’s award-winning First Class, New Business Class, and enhanced Economy Class. The aircraft is fitted with the enhanced StudioCX inflight entertainment system that offers over 100 titles including movies, music, news, short features and games. With the Hong Kong-New York non-stop service, Cathay Pacific will operate 72 weekly flights to North America, with 56 passenger and 16 freighter services. The airline also serves 26 cities in the United States including either directly or code-share passenger services.


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Regular travellers Sophia and Erica Lee, who are flying with their father, hold certificates - signed by Cathay Pacific’s Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen - given to every passenger that mark them flying on the airline's first non-stop flight to New York.

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The Witthoft family is thrilled to fly over the North Pole for the first time on CX830 non-stop from Hong Kong to New York.

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The crew of CX830, led by Captain Mark Micallef-Eynaud, just before embarking upon the first non-stop Hong Kong-New York service on the ultra-long-haul Airbus 340-600. Second right back row: General Manager Inflight Service, Ms Quince Chong joins the crew to operate the historic flight.

Date: July 2, 2004
Flight: CX839
Origin: Vancouver (YVR)
Destination: Hong Kong (HKG)
Duration: 12h 40m
Equipment: B744

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TV Commercial
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07 July 2004
Cathay Pacific offers youngsters MAMA MIA! Hong Kong master class

Cathay Pacific Airways last night sponsored 40 outstanding young people to take part in a MAMMA MIA! masterclass. The students met the actors of the smash hit musical, which is being presented in Hong Kong by the airline, enjoyed a tour of the backstage area and then sat down to enjoy the whole show.

The 40 students from Hong Kong, all aged between 16 and 18, were selected by Cathay Pacific based on their passion for the performing arts as well as the fact that they would not otherwise have the privilege of being able to see such a world-class musical production. The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups helped in the selection process.

On their backstage tour the students visited the wardrobe and technical departments, watched the performers do their vocal and physical warm-up exercises and visited the sound desk. They also met MAMMA MIA! stars Kellie Rode and Christopher Parker, who play the key roles of Sophie Sheridan and Sky respectively.

The young people were very excited to go behind the scenes of the world’s number-one musical. Form 4 student Clement Lee said: “I’ve been crazy about musicals and drama since I was in Form 1, but this is the first time I’ve been able to see a real production. I never thought I’d get the opportunity to meet the lead actors!”

MAMMA MIA!, which features ABBA’s greatest hits woven into an infectious and funny love story, has been seen by over 18 million people worldwide. Each night more than 18,000 people see the show around the world. MAMMA MIA! has opened in more than 60 major cities since the first production in London five years ago. The show began its run at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on 9 June 2004 for a strictly limited season. A season extension was announced early this week, with bookings open to mid-August.

Cathay Pacific has helped to stage a number of international musicals in Hong Kong in recent years, including Miss Saigon and Singin’ in the Rain. Cathay Pacific General Manager Corporate Communication Alan Wong said that the airline is delighted to be the title sponsor of MAMMA MIA! in Hong Kong and is happy to help local youth discover more about this popular art form.

“Last night’s masterclass provided a unique opportunity for young people to get an insider’s look into a world-class musical production and meet with their cast members. As Hong Kong’s airline, we will continue to do our best to bring the best and most exciting cultural events to the city and at the same time help develop young people into well-rounded individuals.”

For more information on MAMMA MIA!, please visit www.mamma-mia.com.

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Asia's World City
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A343
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Cathay Pacific releases June 2004 traffic figures

Cathay Pacific Airways today released traffic figures for June 2004, a month that saw the airline set a new one-day passenger record. It was also the best June on record in terms of tonnage carried for the airline’s cargo operation.

In June, the airline carried 1,142,345 passengers, up from 1,064,516 carried in May. Figures were boosted by the advent of successive public holidays that encouraged leisure travellers to take long weekend breaks. The new one-day record was set on 27 June when 45,331 passengers flew with the airline. The old record of 42,824, set during this year’s Chinese New Year holiday, was bested on three other days in June.

High passenger numbers were produced by a 79.7 percent average passenger load factor and an increase in capacity, measured in terms of Available Seat Kilometres, or ASKs, which has risen 19 percent in the past two years.

The airline carried 76,769 tonnes of cargo in June, traditionally a quiet period of the year. Although less than the 79,906 tonnes carried in May, it was still the highest June total on record. The cargo load factor was 70.2 percent.

Cumulative figures for the first six months of the year show steady growth. The number of passengers carried by the airline was up by more than half over the same period in 2003, which was heavily affected by SARS, and by about 8 percent on the first half of 2002. The volume of cargo carried in the first six months of the year rose by more than 15 percent over the same six-month period last year and by 13 percent on the first half of 2002.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales & Distribution Ian Shiu said: “Public holidays made a difference, but the key drivers behind the steady growth in passenger business continued to be the upbeat economy and the increase in capacity generated by our fleet and service expansion over the past two years. However, high fuel prices are still inflating costs.”

Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: “An increase in capacity and better than expected demand for this time of year in key markets in Europe and North America gave business a lift. Yet persistently higher operating costs created by rising fuel prices remain a concern.”

Cathay Pacific stages “live” New York non-stop promotion

Cathay Pacific Airways today staged a “live” promotion to draw attention to its new daily non-stop service between Hong Kong and New York, which started on 1 July. Eight men dressed as construction workers pulled out stop signs in the crowded streets of Central and Causeway Bay to signify the launch of the non-stop service between the two business capitals.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Marketing Charlie Stewart-Cox said: “We are delighted to start this non-stop service and are developing a creative marketing approach to generate awareness and spread the exciting news that we have started a new direct flight."

Cathay Pacific is the only airline to offer a daily non-stop and second daily one-stop service between Hong Kong and New York. The new service further strengthens Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s leading aviation hub.

Please find below a detailed schedule of the routing in Central and Causeway Bay:

July 14 (Wednesday)
12:00-14:30 Central
17:30-20:00 Causeway Bay

July 15 (Thursday)
12:30-15:00 Causeway Bay
17:30-20:00 Central

July 16 (Friday)
18:30-21:00 Causeway Bay

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Four performers dressed as construction workers "pulling stops" at an MTR station entrance in Central to promote Cathay Pacific's non-stop service between Hong Kong and New York.

Cathay Pacific awards supply contract to inflight sales group

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced it has awarded a five-year supply agreement contract to Inflight Sales Group Hong Kong Ltd. (ISG) to supply inflight sales items including liquor, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics and other general merchandise. The contract will take effect from 1 October 2004.

Cathay Pacific has worked with ISG Hong Kong since 1999. It has supplied a range of top brand items for sale on Cathay Pacific flights. Under the new contract it will supply liquor and tobacco products as well.

Cathay Pacific's inflight retail service offers a wide range of products ranging from best-selling fragrances, cosmetics, skincare products, watches, jewellery, accessories and toys, to Hong Kong souvenirs, spirits, tobacco and Cathay Pacific memorabilia.Cathay Pacific was named the "Best Inflight Travel Retailer" at the Raven Fox Awards for Travel Retail Excellence in the Asia Pacific in 2003 and "Best Inflight Retailer" in 1998 and 2001.

From Bowen @ HKADB :

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Is Cathay going to retire the 747s?

Is Cathay going to retire the 747s?

They are actually buying more 747s!

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Magazines + safety card + menu
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First Class
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Business Class meal
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http://www.farnborough.com/

Farnborough International is organised by the Society of British Aerospace Companies, the trade association for the UK aerospace industry, and is held every two years. The next Airshow will be held from 19th-25th July 2004.

The Farnborough Airshow is open to the public on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th July. As well as five large exhibition halls, the static aircraft display and a fantastic flying display lasting over four hours; there are also exciting attractions to entertain you and your family. 2004 marks the centenary of Charles Rolls meeting Henry Royce. Rolls-Royce has teamed with the Farnborough Airshow to present an exclusive celebration of this union. A unique display of Rolls-Royce powered aircraft will dominate the sky, with over 100 years of flying achievements unveiled before you.

Cathay Pacific will have a B747-400 on display and will do a flight demonstration. South African will bring a B747-400 to the show.

19 July 2004
Cathay Pacific brings Manchester United Soccer Schools to Hong Kong and offers soccer scholarships

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Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that the airline is the presenting sponsor and official carrier for the first ever Manchester United Soccer Schools in Hong Kong. As part of its long-term commitment to youth development and its belief in the importance of providing opportunities for the community, a Cathay Pacific scholarship will also be set up for young talented Hong Kong soccer players.

The Manchester United Soccer Schools is the first of its kind in Asia and will provide training for promising young soccer players in Hong Kong. The school will operate in the Hong Kong Football Club, Happy Valley and the Community Sports Club in Sheung Shui from October 2004 to March 2005. Over 1,000 youngsters between 8 and 15 will benefit from this five-month coaching period.

To help talented Hong Kong soccer players who may not have the opportunity or resources to enrol in the school, the airline has set up a Cathay Pacific Scholarship for these promising youths. Around 30 youngsters will be able to attend free training courses provided by the Manchester United Soccer Schools. Details of recruitment activities will be revealed later.

Today’s announcement took place at the Hong Kong Football Club and officiating guests included Cathay Pacific Director Sales & Marketing James Barrington, Manchester United Soccer Schools New Business Development Manager, Dale Hobson, Manchester United Soccer Schools Head of Operations and Logistics, Gavin Rhodes and also ProEvents Chairman, Paul Kam.

The formalities were followed by a soccer skills demonstration and a preview of what the Manchester United School training has to offer. The “training” session was conducted for a group of Hong Kong youngsters by Gavin Rhodes and former Manchester United legend Eric Cantona.

Cathay Pacific Director Sales & Marketing James Barrington said: “We are delighted to be the first airline to bring in the Manchester United Soccer Schools to Asia and have it located in our home - Hong Kong. With the professional training from the Manchester United Soccer Schools, we will be one step closer to seeing our young Hong Kong soccer players represent Hong Kong in international matches.”

Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: “We believe that through our soccer schools we can take our football philosophy around the world. We are aware that we enjoy huge support in Hong Kong and it is with this in mind that we will be running Manchester United Soccer Schools from October. We believe that the soccer school will provide children – whether fans of Manchester United or not – with the benefit of coaching the Manchester United way.”

Cathay Pacific frequently sponsors international sport and cultural events in Hong Kong to arouse greater awareness and interest amongst local youth. These include the annual Rugby Sevens in March and the recent Mamma Mia Master Class which took place in July that provided excellent opportunities for youth participation.

20 July 2004
Cathay Pacific takes students on African wilderness adventure

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Cathay Pacific Corporate Communication Manager － Public Relations Kandy Chan (second row, sixth from the left) officiated at the departure ceremony for the 2004 Cathay Pacific International Wilderness Experience Programme, which will take 52 delegates from Asia, New Zealand, the Middle East and South Africa to the Entabeni Game Reserve for a nine-day ecological course. Each of the delegates prepared a birthday gift in celebration of the programme’s 10th anniversary

Cathay Pacific Airways today took 42 students from Asia, New Zealand, and the Middle East to join 10 others in South Africa on the trip of a lifetime to learn more about the environment while on safari in Southern Africa.

The Cathay Pacific International Wilderness Experience Programme, now in its 10th year, brings together young people from all over the world to study the environment and learn more about world cultural diversity.

This year’s programme will take place at the Entabeni Nature Reserve in South Africa, a 10,000-hectare reserve that is home to elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, leopards and more than 80 other species of mammals and 380 species of birds.

The students will be guided by a team of highly-qualified Educational Officers and see the environment close up during hikes, camping trips and wildlife observations. They will also share each other’s cultural heritage through group discussions, traditional songs, dances and theatrical wedding ceremonies.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Corporate Communication Alan Wong said: “This year marks the 10th anniversary of our wilderness programme. As Hong Kong’s airline, Cathay Pacific is committed not just to serving our own community but also to fulfilling our responsibilities towards the global environment. It is in this spirit that the airline supports and organises events such as this to explore the unique Southern African wilderness.”

Cathay Pacific launched the International Wilderness Experience Programme in 1994. Since then, more than 400 students have taken part in the programme. This year, students have been selected from Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, New Zealand, Bangkok, Mumbai, Delhi, Manila, Cebu, Saigon, Kuala Lumpa, Seoul, Jakarta, Vietnam, Tokyo, Osaka, and South Africa.

22 July 2004
Cathay Pacific’s first Beijing-Hong Kong exchange a success

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Cathay Pacific Airways and The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups successfully concluded their first jointly organised educational exchange programme for young people in Beijing and Hong Kong, as Beijing students wrapped up their visit to Hong Kong aviation facilities and schools.

Cathay Pacific and the Federation designed the programme to give outstanding young people from low-income families in Hong Kong and Beijing the chance to take part in an exchange programme. Thirty students from Beijing, selected from an application pool of more than 500, visited Hong Kong from July 16 to 20 to learn more about aviation and Hong Kong’s way of life.

The theme of the first exchange was "Aviation and Aerospace Technology". Students toured Hong Kong’s world-class aviation facilities, including the airport’s air traffic control tower, Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO), Cathay Pacific Catering Services and Cathay Pacific City. They also visited local schools, families and youth centres to get an insight on the lives of Hong Kong people of their own age.

Beijing student Yang Ying Lin said: “This trip was an eye-opening experience and allowed me to visit and understand Hong Kong. I learned to be independent and the experience strengthened my ability to work in society.”

Another student Zheng Shuo said: “Hong Kong people are very hospitable and I felt warmly welcomed. I got to understand Hong Kong people’s way of life and thinking. I think that Hong Kong’s aviation industry is very well developed.”

The Beijing students’ visit was the second part of the programme. In April, Cathay Pacific sent a similar group of Hong Kong students to Beijing to visit aviation and aerospace facilities.

Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: "This programme is special as it not only builds greater understanding about aspects of life in Beijing and Hong Kong, but also offers rare opportunities to visit some leading aviation and aerospace facilities. Now that Cathay Pacific has resumed services to Beijing we want to help young people who might not otherwise have the chance to take part in an exchange programme."

Executive Director of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Dr. Rosanna Wong said, “The Federation organizes a variety of exchange programmes designed to provide youth with broader experience and to widen their perspective on the world. In this reciprocal exchange programme, those young Hong Kong people who visited Beijing in April have helped receive a delegation from Beijing. This gave them further opportunity to compare their home cultures, share views and build long lasting friendships.”

26 July 2004
Cathay Pacific showcases ‘Asia’s world city’ at Farnborough

Cathay Pacific Airways’ unique “Asia’s world city” livery jumbo performed a dramatic flypast display on Sunday at the Farnborough International Air Show, the first time that Hong Kong has had a headlining role at the world’s biggest aviation event.

The aircraft, a Boeing 747-400, performed slow and high-speed flypasts at an altitude of just 600 feet, pulling away steeply in a sharp banking turn giving a rare close-up display of grace and power before thousands of air enthusiasts. “Asia’s world city” was also on static display at the show ground for most of the day.

Cathay Pacific was invited to Farnborough to help celebrate the centenary of aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce. Cathay Pacific, very much a pioneer in the commercial aviation world, was a launch customer for the Boeing 747-400 and tested the first prototype aircraft fitted with the Rolls-Royce RB211-524 engine, now used widely by airlines around the world.

The “Asia’s world city” aircraft was specially chosen to promote Hong Kong at the event. Its livery, created to mark the fifth year of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR, features Hong Kong’s fiery dragon logo, symbolising the dynamic spirit of the city. Green and blue waves running down the aircraft’s back represent the land and oceans over which it flies.

Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: “A dramatic display by our ‘Asia's world city’ for the first time put Hong Kong centre stage of this important world event. Cathay Pacific has a proud 58-year history in Hong Kong and a 30-year association with Rolls-Royce. As Hong Kong’s airline, we were delighted to celebrate both at the world’s biggest air show. With Cathay Pacific pioneering the use of Rolls-Royce engines on the Boeing 747-400 it was fitting that we appear at Farnborough.”

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26 July 2004
Cathay Pacific showcases ‘Asia’s world city’ at Farnborough
The aircraft, a Boeing 747-400, performed slow and high-speed flypasts at an altitude of just 600 feet, pulling away steeply in a sharp banking turn giving a rare close-up display of grace and power before thousands of air enthusiasts. “Asia’s world city” was also on static display at the show ground for most of the day.


I wish there is a video clip for this performance. It's definitely one of the most stunning action for a commercial 747-400.

They are actually buying more 747s!

Only for Cargo, not passenger.

few more of this beauty at the Farnborough International Air Show


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Links to the above photos and a few more :
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/627359/M/
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ive always had positive experiences with cathay, great airline

Cathay bid to raise fuel surcharge
Foster Wong, HK Standard

Cathay Pacific Airways, Asia's sixth-largest airline, has applied to extend and raise the fuel surcharge on tickets to help offset rising fuel costs.

The airline has been imposing a surcharge of US$5 (HK$39) per person on short-haul flights and US$14 on long-haul services since June after receiving approval from the Civil Aviation Department (CAD). The surcharge expires at the end of this month.

"We have applied to the Civil Aviation Department to extend and increase the fuel surcharge on passenger tickets,'' a Cathay spokeswoman said. She declined to reveal the size of the increase.

The CAD, which granted permission for 11 airlines to levy a fuel surcharge in late May, said seven had applied for an extension.

Four had also applied for an increase in the surcharge, a department spokeswoman said on Friday. However, she said no decision had been made and declined to identify the applicants.

Cathay Pacific's 17.8-per cent owned Hong Kong Dragon Airlines (Dragonair), which operates direct flights to more than 20 cities on the mainland, said it was among the seven applicants.

Analysts said the surcharge could only help Cathay Pacific to ease some of the cost pressures in the short term but its earnings recovery would slow down.

7 August 2004 / 02:47 AM

Record one-day traffic for Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific

HONG KONG (AFP) — Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific saw passenger numbers rise in July, during which the carrier set a one-day record, the company said Monday.

The airline carried 1.26 million passengers for the month, up from 1.14 million in June, a statement said.

On July 4 it set a one-day record when 45,803 passengers flew with the airline.

At the same time, Cathay's cargo arm carried 80,811 tons of freight.

The company attributed the rise in passengers to the high number of public holidays in the month.

It also announced the purchase of eight used Boeing 747s-400 jets, four of which will be converted to freighters.

Cathay's rise in 2004 passengers follows a tumultuous 2003 in which it saw revenue and passenger numbers slump as a result of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, which claimed 299 lives and decimated the economy.

ive just travelled to Australia and back with cathay pacific and the food was great on the flights!!!

09 August 2004
Cathay Pacific fleet to exceed 100 aircraft with new acquisitions

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that its fleet will exceed 100 aircraft after committing to eight used Boeing 747-400s, half of which will be converted into freighters. The aircraft will be obtained from a number of owners and operators and arrive from now through 2006. The airline plans to purchase seven and lease one other.

This acquisition follows orders made earlier this year for one new B747-400 freighter plus two new B777-300 and six new Airbus 330-300s to join the airline’s regional fleet. These combined commitments will swell the airline’s operating fleet from 86 all-wide-body aircraft at present to 103 in just over three years, after the final A330-300s arrive. This additional investment will add to the approximate 20 percent increase in passenger capacity made by the airline in the past two years.

Six of the eight aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney 4056-3 engines and the other two by the Rolls-Royce RB211-524. All the aircraft are of a similar age to the B747-400s already in operation with the airline. Cathay Pacific currently operates 19 B747-400 passenger and 5 B747-400 freighter aircraft.

Four of the newly acquired aircraft will support the expansion of Cathay Pacific’s passenger fleet, following a complete retrofit so that the aircraft and cabin meet the same standards as existing Cathay Pacific aircraft. The other four will be converted into freighters and deployed on trunk routes to Europe and North America.

In January this year, Cathay Pacific announced it would be the world’s first airline to take part in the new B747-400 passenger-to-freighter conversion programme, and has so far committed to convert six aircraft with options on six more.

Cathay Pacific Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive David Turnbull said: “Passing the 100 aircraft mark is a tremendous milestone in the development of Cathay Pacific and further underlines our commitment to strengthen Hong Kong as a global passenger and air cargo hub. This latest acquisition, along with our order for nine new aircraft made earlier in the year, represents one of the fastest programmes of fleet growth in the airline’s history.”

Is this the first time they buy used planes?

Cathay Pacific is awesome. How much is one Rolls Royce engine anyways?

Is this an LCD screen connected to a exterior camera for viewing? Or is it just a nice painting?

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/xavierpics/CTS-HK+11-7/HSA01.jpg

I Guess it's just a Painting, or is it really a LCD display??? Also, I wanna ask if anybody know if Cathay Pacific is planning on buying any A380, if so how much planes???

I Guess it's just a Painting, or is it really a LCD display??? Also, I wanna ask if anybody know if Cathay Pacific is planning on buying any A380, if so how much planes???


From one article it mentioned that Cathay was considering it. I guess CX wants to see how the plane performs for other airlines first before buying it. Playing it safe.

9 August 2004


Cathay Pacific today released its traffic figures for July 2004, a month that saw holiday traffic set a new one-month passenger record and an upturn in cargo carried as well.

In July, the airline carried 1,268,634 passengers, a new one-month record, up from 1,142,345 carried in June. A new one-day passenger record of 45,803 was set on 4 July, beating a week-old record of 45,331 passengers set on 27 June.

High passenger numbers were produced by an 81.3 percent average passenger load factor, the highest so far this year, along with a new record one-month passenger capacity, measured in terms of Available Seat Kilometres, or ASKs.

The airline carried 80,811 tonnes of cargo in July, up from 76,769 tonnes in June. The cargo load factor was 69.6 percent, marginally down from 70.2 percent last month.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales & Distribution Ian Shiu said: “The arrival of the summer travel peak and an increase in capacity both contributed to a record number of passengers travelling with the airline in July. Figures were boosted by the popularity of our non-stop New York service, which has been at near capacity during its first month in operation.”

Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: “Re-exports from Hong Kong to North America and Australia remained strong in July and we expect that overall cargo demand will begin to build in late August as the seasonal peak begins. Fuel accounts for a large proportion of cargo’s operating costs, so its current high level remains a serious concern.”

Cathay Pacific announces 2004 Interim Results

Turnover : +48.1%
Profit : +HK$ 3,012.0 million

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Cathay Pacific Airways Chairman James Hughes-Hallett listens to a question during a news conference in Hong Kong, August 11, 2004.
-- REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Cathay Pacific Airways reported a first-half profit attributable to shareholders of HK$1,771 million in its 2004 Interim Results published today. This was in marked contrast to the HK$1,241 million loss recorded during the SARS-affected first half of 2003.

An improving world economy and a strong recovery in Hong Kong propelled growth in both the airline’s passenger and cargo operations. The airline responded by introducing new services and additional frequencies across its network.

Turnover was sharply higher at HK$18,185 million, compared to HK$12,275 million during the same six-month period last year. The number of passengers carried increased 59.3 percent to 6.4 million. Passenger yield improved to HK45.7 cents, up from HK42.8 cents, reflecting both the improved demand for business and leisure travel and currency gains resulting from the weaker US dollar.

Cargo volumes increased 15.8 percent to 469,909 tonnes due to continued growth of re-exports from Southern China and higher volumes carried on trunk routes to Europe, Japan and the United States. Cargo yield remained at HK$1.72.

Higher revenues were partially offset by higher costs arising from the sharp rise in the price of fuel. The average price before hedging was 16.9 percent higher than in the same period last year. Fuel accounted for 21.8 percent of the airline’s operating costs during the period.

Cathay Pacific Chairman James Hughes-Hallett said: “Prospects for the traditionally stronger second half of the year appear to be good, although the high fuel price remains a concern, which if sustained, could dampen global economic growth and the demand for air travel. We remain optimistic over our future and will continue to develop our network, strengthen Hong Kong as a global aviation hub and focus on delivering superior value to customers.”

Cathay plans on adding cargo, passenger flights
By Ramona Ruiz

13 August 2004, Khaleej Times Online

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DUBAI - With Dubai being a strong growth area for the airline industry, Cathay Pacific Airways intends to add capacity as well as operate more cargo and passenger flights, disclosed Philip Herbert, the newly-appointed Country Manager for UAE and Oman at Cathay Pacific, during a welcome reception held at the Shangri-La hotel in Dubai on Wednesday.

The event, attended by well-wishers from the airline, tourism and travel industry and the media, was also organised to bid farewell to Navin Chellaram, Cathay Pacific's outgoing Country Manager for UAE and Oman, who will be based in Hong Kong after a successful three-year stint in Dubai.

Mr Herbert, in a Press statement, further commented: "With already 11 passenger and 45 cargo flights a week, Cathay Pacific is set for further growth in its services to Dubai - making the UAE and the Middle East in general, an increasingly important part of its business. It is therefore an especially exciting time to come here."

Mr Chellaram said: "My successor comes with a wealth of experience. He's had outstation assignments in Singapore, Bombay and Japan. With your support, Cathay Pacific will continue to grow in Dubai."

Mr Herbert was recently posted as Cathay Pacific's E-business manager focusing on the development on online communications and services for flight crew. Having been with the Swire Group and Cathay Pacific for more than a decade, he brings in an extensive marketing and management expertise to the airline's Gulf unit.

Mr Chellaram noted the airline's exceptional business growth in the region. "I spent three challenging and very enjoyable years in Dubai. During that time, we have seen our business grow significantly at Cathay Pacific. This is mainly due to the growth and expansion of Dubai, and the support of our friends from the industry," he said. He had expressed optimism that Cathay Pacific will have a stronger second half of 2004 due to the continued growth and expansion of Dubai, which boosts traffic in and out of the emirate.

Cathay Pacific flies 11 times out of Dubai to Hong Kong and offers convenient connections to Asia, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and China. For the UAE, the airline has a revenue growth of more than 50 per cent for the first half of the year over the same period last year. The airline had recently reported a net profit of HK$1.77 billion ($226.9 million) in the first six months of 2004, compared with a record net loss of HK$1.24 billion in 2003 due to the SARS outbreak.

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By 3ASV196~ & CX100 from a Hong Kong bus forum.

i flew on A346 (CX) when i returned from taipei. :)

the interior is really really nice. just wondering why they deploy it for short-haul flights.

10 August 2004

Cathay Pacific ‘I Can Fly’ students visit Boeing, Airbus plants

Cathay Pacific Airways today welcomed home top students from the “I Can Fly” programme who took trips of a lifetime to the Boeing and Airbus aircraft factories in the United States and France.

The five-day trips were their reward for excelling throughout the year-long programme, during which they learned about aviation and took part in community service projects in Hong Kong. Throughout, Cathay Pacific pilots acted as the students’ mentors.

A third “I Can Fly” group will visit the BAE Flying School in Adelaide, Australia, from 17 August, where Cathay Pacific cadets undergo their initial flight training. In all, 100 students will take part in the trips.

The group that took off for the Boeing plant in Seattle toured the B777 and B747 assembly lines as well as the Boeing Field Flight Test Centre and Museum of Flight.
As luck would have it, they were in town in time for the annual SEAFAIR, where they saw the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aerobatics display team in action.

“It was a great experience for the kids. Most had never visited the United States,” said Corporate Communication Executive Sherman Liu, who accompanied the group. “They didn’t expect the Boeing factory would be so huge. The museum was special because it showed how aviation evolved from the simplest gliders to the most modern commercial aircraft. There was even a retired Air Force One aircraft. We got to see inside where the U.S. President used to sit.”

The group that visited Airbus in Toulouse toured the final assembly line of the super-jumbo A380 and also saw the mock-up for the A340-600 and inside a real Concorde. They also visited Toulouse and the Walled City of Carcassonne, a fortified medieval town.

“The students were so excited when they saw the A380 assembly line. Their efforts over the past year definitely paid off, and it was great to see their dreams come true,” said Information Officer Carina Chow, who accompanied the Airbus group.

Cathay Pacific, together with the support of Airbus, Boeing and BAE Flying School, fully sponsored the three trips. Some 1,000 local students aged between 13 and 18 years took part in the “I Can Fly” programme.

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Cathay disciplines pilots for `sporty' landing
Keith Wallis

Cathay Pacific Airways has disciplined the flight crew of a Boeing 747-400 passenger jet after what one insider said was a "sporty'' approach to Hong Kong International Airport late last month.

The Civil Aviation Department confirmed that the captain and first officer ignored the advice of air traffic controllers.

As a result, the aircraft had to make a 60-degree turn just 500 feet above the choppy waters of the Pearl River estuary so that it could land safely on the airport's northern runway. Angelique Tam, Cathay Pacific manager of corporate communications, confirmed that an incident had taken place.

But following discussions with the airline's flight operations department and management, she repeatedly refused to give any further information about the incident or the action taken by the airline against the flight crew. She said: "I don't want to go into details.''

Tam would only confirm that the pilot and first officer of Cathay Pacific's early morning flight CX904 from Manila had been disciplined following the incident on July 29.

One source said both had been demoted. Another said they had been sent for retraining.

"We had an inquiry before taking necessary internal action,'' Tam said. "There was no danger to passengers. We take all necessary action to maintain our high standards of flying.''

The Civil Aviation Department, though, confirmed that both the department and Cathay Pacific have launched investigations into the botched approach into Hong Kong International Airport. It said the investigations would take about three months to complete.

The department said that as the aircraft passed west of the airport, "air traffic control continually advised the pilots to turn left. However, they elected to turn right and this prevented them from completing a correct approach to the runway''.

As a result, "the pilots misjudged the distance from the runway and had to do a tighter turn than normal to establish on the centreline of Runway 07L. They achieved this at approximately five miles from the runway and had descended to 500 feet''.

Industry insiders claimed that this prompted the aircraft's ground proximity warning system (GPWS) to sound. The GPWS warns pilots against flying into the ground.

But the department added: "Information from the pilots, confirmed by the aircraft's flight data recorder, [shows] the GPWS was not activated.''

Civil aviation officials said there was little air traffic control could do and indicated the pilots were trying to avoid rough weather.

"Air traffic control may give some directions, but as the pilots had manoeuvred themselves into the position, albeit for weather avoidance, there was little that air traffic control could do.''

18 August 2004 / 02:45 AM

Tuesday August 24, 11:15 AM
INTERVIEW: Cathay Cost Cuts To Bridge Oil Hedging Gap
By Nisha Gopalan
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--As oil prices hover around US$50 a barrel, airlines worldwide are struggling to cope.

And none more so than Hong Kong's de facto flagship carrier Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (0293.HK). Cathay has only been able to hedge less than a quarter of its fuel costs until the end of the year, and with oil prices now so high, it's too expensive to do more hedging.

"There's not a lot we can do," said Tony Tyler, Cathay's director of corporate development.

"We can't beat the market by hedging, so the best we can do is take the sting out of high fuel prices by fuel surcharges, but these will only offset some of the impact of higher fuel costs," Tyler told Dow Jones Newswires.

"In the past few years, we've had to face the Asian economic crisis, the Sept. 11 attacks, the world economic downturn, SARS and now fuel costs," said Tyler. "Unless we continue to bring our costs down, we won't survive."

Last week, Hong Kong's government allowed Cathay to increase the fuel surcharges it had on short-haul flights to US$7 a sector for each passenger, from the US$5 imposed on June 4. The airline was also given the right to raise fuel surcharges for long-haul flights to US$19 from US$14, in moves that will be valid until the end of November.

Fuel costs now make up about quarter of Cathay's operating costs, up from 21.8% between January and June this year, and just 17% two years ago. The higher fuel prices have shaken up Cathay's traditional cost base, where staff costs often exceed any other expense.

"That's no longer the case," said Tyler. "Staff costs haven't gone down, but now we're finding that fuel is our big cost," he said, adding Cathay's goal of getting unit costs down by 10% over the next three years is achievable.

To that end, Cathay, whose 14,500-strong staff is still around the level of ten years ago, has kept a lid on staff costs and pay rises.

Layoffs A Last Resort

"We'll never say never when it comes to layoffs, but we can promise that they will be a last resort," said Tyler.

Key to Cathay's strategy of cutting unit costs has been expansion by acquiring - among other things - more efficient aircraft. It plans to increase its fleet to 109 aircraft by 2007 from 86 currently to expand its global route network, especially to the U.S. and Middle East.

"Growing our business is one way we believe we can bring unit costs down," said Tyler. "We're hiring more staff at the lower end of the pay scale and buying more efficient aircraft."

It helps that Asia's travel industry has bounced back from last year's SARS crisis, as has Cathay's earnings, with the airline posting first-half net profit of HK$1.77 billion, after a loss of HK$1.24 billion in the same period last year.

Forward bookings of flights for September and October, "look very good," he said. "Of course, we don't want to overstretch our business, but we're seeing growth in demand from all our markets."

For now, at least, a significant expansion in mainland China remains a distant goal.

Last year, Cathay resumed flights to China after a 13-year absence, and currently operates three flights a week to Beijing. It also has licenses to fly to Shanghai and Xiamen, but is unable to service these routes until it gets approval from China's aviation authorities.

Keeping costs down isn't the only challenge Cathay faces. Several budget airlines have been launched in Asia in recent months, among them Malaysia's AirAsia Sdn. Bhd. (AIA.YY), Australia's Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd. (VBA.AU), and Singapore's Valuair. The latter's flights between Hong Kong and Singapore are in direct competition to Cathay.

"As we've said before, we'll never rule out the possibility of starting our own low-cost carrier," said Tyler. "But for now, our strategy of dealing with these airlines on our patch is to compete aggressively, and that often means making more cheap fares available."

-By Nisha Gopalan, Dow Jones Newswires; 852-2832-2343; nisha.gopalan@dowjones.com

-Edited by Alastair McIndoe

27 August 2004
‘I Can Fly’ member presents facility model to HAECO

A model of Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO), produced by ‘I Can Fly’ member Matthew Wai, was presented to Mr. Thomas Ng, General Manager (Personnel) at HAECO on 24 August. Matthew had chosen to feature HAECO for his year-end “I Can Fly” report as he’d found the visit to the HAECO facility one of the programme’s most memorable activities.

Matthew spent more than a week on producing this model. He described the visit to HAECO as an eye-opening opportunity and gave ‘I Can Fly’ members a closer look at the aircraft parts at the hanger which in turn enhanced their understanding of various aviation concepts. Mathew hopes to pursue a career as an airline pilot.

HAECO’s General Manager Personnel, Mr. Thomas Ng said: “HAECO is happy to support this aviation education programme and we hope to see Matthew join the aviation industry in the near future.”

Matthew joined the ‘I Can Fly’ programme in 2003 and was one of its youngest members. He was also selected as one of the 100 outstanding members who were invited to take part in overseas trips to Adelaide for flying training. He described the ‘I Can Fly’ programme as a life-rewarding experience.

The Cathay Pacific “I Can Fly” programme invites 1,000 youth aged between 13 to 18 to take part in a series of aviation and social service activities, led by Cathay Pacific pilots. It aims to nurture the spirit of social service and an enthusiasm for aviation among local youngsters.

HAECO specialises in providing comprehensive aeronautical engineering services to airlines and operators since 1950. It is the only full service provider at the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok offering comprehensive line to heavy maintenance packages including extensive aircraft component overhaul support and AOG/aircraft recovery service. The company has supported Cathay Pacific I Can Fly Programme with providing visit and tour to its hanger and have given the 1,000 local youth a practical aviation class.

http://downloads.cathaypacific.com/cx/press/20040827_icanfly_haeco_tb.jpg

HAECO General Manager (Personnel), Mr. Thomas Ng (right) receiving the model from Matthew Wai (left). He was impressed with Mathew’s creativity and eye for detail.

From HKADB :

For those who love eating! Which one do you like?)
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01 September 2004
Cathay Pacific offers onboard Nintendo games

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced its StudioCX inflight entertainment will offer 31 popular Nintendo® games on board starting 1 September 2004 on its flights.

The new onboard system, Nintendo Gateway Game Boy will be available in First and Business Class on all Cathay Pacific long-haul aircraft fitted with the Audio and Video on Demand (AVOD) Inflight Entertainment system.

The onboard games are identical to Nintendo's Game Boy® handheld versions which are hugely popular worldwide. Today Game Boy is the world's best-selling video game system having sold more than 168 million units to date. Twenty-seven of the titles onboard have sold more than one million units each. Nintendo Gateway Game Boy features proprietary software adapted from the Game Boy Color hardware and games, and designed to operate on airline Inflight Entertainment systems. In addition to game selection, passengers can access game pause and resume features via the system's convenient onscreen menu.

The games are split into eight categories - 'Pokémon', 'Adventure', 'Puzzle', 'Sports', 'Role Playing', 'Arcade', 'Board & Card' and 'Action'.

As a leader in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo has sold more than 1.9 billion video games worldwide. Nintendo both manufactures and markets the hardware and software for its home video game systems, including its newest platforms Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance.

In addition to the Nintendo games, 10 interactive computer games are also available for all passengers travelling on Cathay Pacific's long haul aircraft and the Business Class passengers of its regional fleet.

Cathay Pacific's StudioCX, the state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system, also offers passengers a full choice of audio and video entertainment. In Economy Class StudioCX offers over 20 channels of video entertainment. In First and Business Class Audio and Video on Demand allows passengers to select the movie they want to watch, when they want to watch it. With over 200 hours of all entertainment programs, StudioCX is sure to keep you entertained throughout your journey.

07 September 2004
oneworld airlines offer frequent flyers up to 15,000 bonus miles

oneworld, the leading global airline alliance, is offering air travellers the world over an enticing
incentive to encourage them to sample more of its unrivalled international network – a bonus of
up to 15,000 frequent flyer miles or points that can be redeemed for flights across the
grouping’s 575-destination map.

To participate, you must already be a member or enroll as a new member of any one of the
eight oneworld airlines’ frequent flyer programmes – American Airlines’ AAdvantage, the
British Airways Executive Club, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Cathay Pacific’s Marco Polo Club,
Iberia Plus, LAN’s LANPASS, Finnair Plus or Aer Lingus’ Gold Circle Club.

Then you need fly on at least three oneworld airlines, including the one with which you have
registered as a frequent flyer member, between 1 October and 30 November 2004, on eligible
fares. These include a number of economy/coach class fares, besides those for travel in First,
Business or British Airways’ World Traveller Plus.

There are minor differences in the way the promotion operates in some member airlines’
frequent flyer schemes. Some require participants to register for the bonus promotion first. The
size of the bonus varies too between some member airlines, because of the different structures
of their individual frequent flyer schemes. For instance, members of Iberia Plus will be eligible
for a 1,200 point bonus.

Full details of the bonus offer are available on each airline’s frequent flyer programme website,
with links to them all from the home page at www.oneworld.com

Since oneworld was launched five years ago, members of its partner airlines’ frequent flyer
programmes have been able to earn miles and tier status points when they fly on eligible fares
on any other airline in the alliance and redeem them across the entire grouping’s network,
covering 135 countries, from Australia to Zimbabwe.

So those bonus miles could help take you anywhere from Aalborg, Albuquerque or Accra to
Zaragoza or Zurich or anywhere else served by the alliance’s by eight member airlines and their
17 associated carriers.

oneworld Managing Partner John McCulloch said: “The bonus is just that – a bonus, in
addition to the regular rewards earned for each of those flights. It’s a way of highlighting to
customers new and old that if their travels take them beyond their regular airline’s schedules to
other parts of oneworld’s unrivalled international map, they’ll receive the same high level of
care, service, support and frequent flyer privileges from all other carriers in our group.”

Besides frequent flyer awards, those privileges include tier points towards higher status
frequent flyer programme membership, which in turn leads to lounge access, priority check-in
and wait listing whenever you fly with any oneworld carrier anywhere in the world (see notes
below).

oneworld’s eight airlines and their affiliates carried more than 220 million passengers last year
on a combined fleet of almost 2,000 aircraft operating more than 7,500 flights a day.

oneworld and its member airlines regularly receive more honours in the various industry award
schemes than members of the other airline alliances combined, reflecting the quality of their
customer service. The alliance itself was named the World's Leading Airline Alliance in the
most recent World Travel Awards, based on votes cast by 80,000 travel agencies
professionals from more than 200 countries. oneworld offers a wider range of alliance fare and
sales products than all of the competition combined and is on track to become the first alliance
to offer the customer convenience of interline e-ticketing, by the end of 2004.

Friday September 10, 6:24 PM
HK's Cathay wants to code share with China Eastern

HONG KONG, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. wants to code share with China Eastern Airlines Corp. after a new air services
pact failed to give Cathay immediate access to the lucrative Shanghai market.

Code-sharing allows airlines to sell seats on each others' flights.

"It's one of the things we're looking at," Tony Tyler, Cathay's director of corporate
development told reporters on Friday.

Under the air services deal with Beijing announced on Wednesday, the number of passenger
flights between Hong Kong and mainland China would be increased gradually by 30 percent
to 1,600 a week and the number of all-cargo flights will double to 84.

However, the pact fell short of deals China has negotiated with other countries such as the
United States as it opens up its fast-growing aviation market to more competition. Cathay
must wait until October 2006 before it can begin flying the coveted route to Shanghai.

Cathay, Hong Kong's main carrier and the world's third-largest by market value, already
cooperates with Shanghai-based China Eastern on a frequent flyer programme and staff
training.

There has long been talk that Cathay may take a stake in the Chinese carrier but Tyler declined to comment.

Cathay said it was interested in adding more flights to Beijing and starting passenger flights to the southeastern city of Xiamen under the new deal.
Tyler also said that Cathay would look at other destinations in China.

06 September 2004
Cathay Pacific to launch third daily Sydney service in expanded winter passenger schedule

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced it will be the only airline to operate three-times daily to Sydney with the 31 October launch of a new early morning service that is part of an expanded new winter schedule. Overall, the airline will add 16 weekly scheduled departures out of Hong Kong, bringing total passenger services to 511 flights – further strengthening Hong Kong as a global aviation hub and the gateway to the Chinese Mainland.

With the start on 31 October of the airline’s winter schedule, passenger services to Manila will increase from 35 to 37 weekly flights and Surabaya will go from 3 to 4 services a week. Brisbane will be served daily, up from five flights a week, and two more services to Auckland will take its weekly total to 12. In all, Cathay Pacific will operate 63 passenger services per week between Hong Kong and Australia and New Zealand.

Later, from 1 December, Cathay Pacific will add two more weekly services to Dubai, taking it to 13 flights a week. Cathay Pacific serves 87 destinations for passenger services worldwide, either directly or through code shares. During the summer, Cathay Pacific launched a daily non-stop service to New York and, through code-share arrangements, services to Moscow, Madrid and Barcelona.

According to the latest visitor arrival statistics from the Hong Kong Tourism Board (“HKTB”), the Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific region represents an area of robust potential. July arrivals amounted to 41,384, representing 85.3% growth on July 2003 and 31.7% on the 2002 figure. For the first seven months of 2004, arrivals stood at 81.3% ahead of those for 2003 and 13.7% above 2002.

Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: "A third daily flight to Sydney will put us firmly in the lead. We are offering more than 17,000 seats to Australia and New Zealand every week and 900,000 seats every year. Our expanded winter schedule further strengthens Hong Kong's status as a global aviation hub, offering one of the strongest connections to Australia and New Zealand among major hubs, and linking them to other parts of the world via Hong Kong.”

Passenger Services / Week from October 31 (Change)
Manila 37 (+2)
Surabaya 4 (+1)
Brisbane 7 (+2)
Sydney 21 (+7)
Auckland 12 (+2)

Passenger Services / Week from December 1 (Change)
Dubai 13 (+2)

08 September 2004
Cathay Pacific announces opening of the Cathay Pacific the wing box at Happy Valley racecourse

Cathay Pacific Airways this evening opened its “Cathay Pacific The Wing” spectator box at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Happy Valley racecourse as a part of its three-year sponsorship of the “Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races”.

Access to the Happy Valley box, and another like at Shatin racecourse, opened on Sunday, will be available in special “Cathay Pacific Fly ’n’ See Hong Kong International Races” travel packages, now available around the world.

Members of the Marco Polo Club, the airline’s premium customers, many of whom attended the Happy Valley opening, can also book the boxes to entertain visitors and friends at one of Hong Kong’s most popular sporting spectacles.

Cathay Pacific will be title sponsor of the Hong Kong International Races, Hong Kong’s blue ribbon international horse racing event, for the next three years, starting with this year’s meeting in December. The airline’s sponsorship of the “Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races,” as they will be known, is part of its commitment to reinforce Hong Kong’s profile as Asia’s events capital.

Cathay Pacific has a long tradition of helping to bring top international sports and cultural events to Hong Kong. The airline is joint sponsor with Credit Suisse First Boston of the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament and is recently helped to stage the hit musical MAMMA MIA!

13 September 2004
Cathay Pacific releases August 2004 traffic figures

Cathay Pacific Airways today released traffic figures for August 2004, traditionally a peak month for leisure travel and an off-season for cargo.

In August, the airline carried 1,268,343 passengers, almost flat from 1,268,634 passengers carried in July, which was a record month. The passenger load factor remained high at 80.3 percent, again little changed from 81.3 percent in July.

The airline carried 77,395 tonnes of cargo, down from 80,811 tonnes in July, in a reflection of the quieter summer period for shippers. The cargo load factor was 64.7 percent, down from 69.6 percent the previous month for similar reasons.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales & Distribution Ian Shiu said: “We responded to higher summer demand in August by operating a number of extra sectors including some special charters to Male in the Maldives. Yet with load factors already above 80 percent in July there was little room for an even higher spike in August.”

Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: “Demand for goods manufactured in the Chinese Mainland remains strong and Hong Kong continues to play an increasingly important role as the leading gateway to the Pearl River Delta. Cathay cargo loads should grow next month as we enter into the beginning of the traditional peak season but high fuel prices remain a serious concern."

RPK @ ASK Details
http://www.cathaypacific.com/intl/aboutus/press/0,3845,31342-112232,00.html

One of Cathay Pacific's key gateways in North America is Vancouver. Not only does it fly to Vancouver daily, flights continuing to Toronto and New York also stop there. Here is a CX 747 at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) :

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HK's Cathay Pac to sell $118 mln bond - Basis Point.
16 September 2004
(c) 2004 Reuters Limited

HONG KONG, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's dominant airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (0293.HK), will hold presentation for a S$200 million (US$118.5 million), five-year bonds in Singapore on Monday, debt market news service Basis Point said.

It quoted sources as saying on Thursday that DBS Bank would join Standard Chartered Bank as the lead managers for the proposed bond sale.

StanChart was recently heard sounding out the market for up to S$250 million bond at a coupon rate of 40 to 42 basis points over the Singapore dollar swap-offer rate, it said.

Cathay said in August that it may raise up to US$150 million through a Singapore dollar note issue to help expand its fleet.

Cathay plans to expand its fleet to 103 aircraft from 86 in three years. It has announced plans to lease one and buy seven used Boeing (BA.N) 747-400s. Four of these would be converted into freighters. Three of the aircraft would be bought from Singapore Airlines Ltd. (SIAL.SI).

Source : http://www.pbase.com/jakob77/cx_715&page=2

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Cathay burns up fuel budget

Dennis Eng
368 words
15 September 2004
The Standard

The high price of oil may see Cathay Pacific Airways bust its fuel budget for the year, chief operating officer Philip Chen has warned.

In an internal company notice, Chen said that exorbitant oil prices would push Cathay's full-year fuel expenses beyond its initial HK$1 billion budget. He added that fuel costs for the first half have already exceeded that of the previous year by HK$400 million.

Fuel costs, which accounted for 17 per cent of the airline's total operating costs two years ago, climbed to 22 per cent in the first-half and 25 per cent in mid-August, he said.

Cathay Pacific was one of the airlines which won approval from Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department to extend and increase a surcharge on air fares to offset high oil prices, which have hovered at more than US$40 (HK$312) a barrel for most of the year.

Analysts said airlines may choose to exploit higher air ticket prices even when jet fuel costs normalise, particularly in China where domestic oil prices are already regulated and carriers did not suffer as much as international airlines.

Jet fuel costs have only increased 5-6 per cent for China Eastern and China Southern Airlines in the first half compared with about 20 per cent in the international market.

Still, before the oil crisis, passengers travelling on China's carriers were typically paying for tickets discounted by 25 per cent from the reference price. Now, the discount is about 20 per cent.

Prices were reformed in China in April this year, leading to more expensive air travel as domestic airlines hiked ticket prices by about 10 per cent in one week.

``Prices were then reduced but not to previous levels,'' Merrill Lynch analyst Trina Chen said.

She attributed the price hike to the oil crisis, strong demand and market consolidation.

Dragonair admitted that while oil prices were affecting earnings it did not plan to raise ticket prices. ``Although the temporary fuel surcharge is only partially offsetting the impact, Dragonair has no plan to adjust the ticket fare at this time,'' said spokeswoman Floran Lee.

Source: The Standard.

The Star Online (Malaysia)
Saturday September 18, 2004
Airline food was never this good
Story by JESSIE TEH

It was raining when two other journalists and I landed at Hong Kong International Airport. But the rain was no dampener – certainly not when a Rolls-Royce was waiting to ferry us to our hotel.

It was smooth cruising along the North Lantau Expressway towards Kowloon, and some 45 minutes later, we arrived at The Peninsula, one of the world’s legendary hotels. The three-day trip, sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airways and The Peninsula, was for us to savour Cathay Pacific’s “Best Chinese Food In The Air” and to experience the modern comforts of The Peninsula.

We were shown to our rooms, and, boy, were they spacious! And high-tech, too. The bedside panels controlled not only the TV and lights, but even the curtains. At the touch of a button, the curtains parted, offering a stunning view of Victoria Harbour.

Our culinary journey began that evening on the hotel’s 26th floor, at The Peninsula Suite, the pride of the establishment. Fit for a king, the suite was designed to be the most spectacular in Hong Kong and one of the most luxurious in the world. While sipping cocktails and nibbling on canapés, we took in the spectacular harbour view.

Later, somewhat reluctant to leave such opulence, we were ushered to the Spring Moon Chinese Restaurant on the first floor. Dinner, hosted by director of public relations Lamey Chang, started off with an appetiser combination of Steamed Prawns with Egg-white Sauce, Lamb Chops with Leeks in Gravy, Sautéed Chicken and Cucumber with Chilli Paste, and Sliced Seabass with Preserved Vegetables. We rounded it all off with Bird’s Nest Soup with Diced Seafood and Beaten Egg.

These are the restaurant’s 30-odd exquisite dishes that are being served on virtually all Cathay Pacific flights in all classes until Oct 31.

Barely able to move after that sumptuous spread, we were hurried along to our next food stop – Gaddi’s, which is known for its gourmet French cuisine. There, we simply had to make room for the delightful Roasted Seabass Fillet on Sautéed Capers, Olives, Octopus and Broad Beans with Fettuccine and a Lemon Butter Sauce.

The next stop was Felix, located on the 28th floor. The fashionable restaurant was designed by renowned French architect-designer-inventor Philippe Starck. The focal point of the restaurant is The Long Table, which can be transformed from a cocktail/dining area into a catwalk for fashion shows or exhibitions. There, we enjoyed coffee and tea and relaxed in a fun and lively setting.

The next day, a 15-minute flightseeing tour by helicopter around Hong Kong had to be postponed to the following morning owing to the weather. Flights depart from The Peninsula’s rooftop helipad. The view from The Peninsula’s Aerospatiale Squirrel of Hong Kong’s metropolis, coastline and outlying islands was breathtaking.

After the high-flying experience, we bade farewell to The Peninsula. The ever-faithful Rolls Royce whisked us off to the airport where we were met by representatives from Cathay Pacific Catering Services (CPCS).

CPCS is located about 10 minutes’ drive away from the airport, and it allowed us to witness how airline food is prepared. So we donned face masks, coats, hair caps and shoe covers and thoroughly washed our hands before CPCS marketing and customers services manager Leslie Bailey took us around.

In the kitchens, which included Japanese, special meals and kosher sections, we were warned by the affable Bailey “not to stick our finger into any food”. It was obvious that hygiene was top priority. The kitchen staff were all garbed in masks, hair caps and white coats. The place resembled a laboratory more than a kitchen!

We couldn’t help being impressed with the care taken to prepare the meals and refreshment for airline passengers. I, for one, was especially impressed with the way the watermelons were soaked in water for two hours because the skin, as pointed out Bailey, “is very dirty”. Unfortunately, owing to the tight schedule, we didn’t get to sample the dishes that had been painstakingly laid out by the chefs.

From the clinically clean CPCS, we rushed back to the airport to lunch at The Haven, located at the The Wing’s first class lounge. It is one of two premium lounges at the airport. Lunch, hosted by Cathay Pacific’s corporate communication manager (overseas) May Lam-Kobayashi and corporate communication executive Julie Ho, comprised noodles and a buffet spread offering a range of Asian and European cuisines.

We couldn’t resist peeking into one of the five cabanas there. The cabana is a lavish spa room where passengers can refresh themselves before their flight and settle down for a soak in an enormous bathtub. Too bad we didn’t have time to indulge in a soak.

Soon it was time for goodbyes. On board, I heartily tucked into the fruits and beef brisket noodles, confident that they had been prepared with meticulous and tender loving care.

Website : http://thestar.com.my/services/printerfriendly.asp?file=/2004/9/18/features/8827814.asp&sec=features

Cathay Pacific City @ HK Airport
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22 September 2004
oneworld named world’s best airline alliance again

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Tuesday, 21 September 2004, London: oneworld has been named the world’s Best Airline Alliance again by some of the most frequent of the world’s flyers.

It received its latest honour in the 2004 Business Traveller Awards. The magazine presents its trophies based on the findings of its annual poll of its readers, who include some of the most widely traveled passengers around the world.

It is the second time that oneworld has received this award in three years it has been presented. oneworld was also named the World's Leading Airline Alliance in the most recent World Travel Awards, and based on votes cast by 80,000 travel agencies professionals from more than 200 countries.

oneworld Managing Partner John McCulloch said: “This is a great vote of confidence from some of our key customers. It reflects the quality of our airline members, our lead in serving more countries and in offering more alliance fare products than our competitors, and our determination to deliver alliance customer service better than any one else.”

oneworld members virtually swept the board in the various airline categories. British Airways took seven prizes – as best airline overall and best for first class, business class, economy class, longhaul travel, shorthaul airline and frequent flyer programme. American Airlines was voted top North American airline. Members of rival alliances managed just two honours between them.

In the other leading industry awards this year - the 2004 OAG Airline of the Year and the 2004 SkyTrax Airline of the Year - its partner airlines gained more accolades than members of both its competitor alliances combined.

In the 2004 Airline Strategy Awards, run by the highly-regarded Airline Business magazine, oneworld carriers take four of the six awards. Members of other alliances did not receive a mention between them. The top prize, for Executive Leadership, is won a oneworld carrier for the third year running, keeping it in the alliance’s hands since the award’s inception. Airline Business’ US counterpart Air Transport World also presented more awards to the grouping’s partners than to members of other global alliances at its prize-giving ceremony in January, selecting Qantas as its overall Airline of the Year, with another special award for Aer Lingus.

oneworld – comprising Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, LAN, Finnair and Aer Lingus besides American Airlines and British Airways - is the most international of the global airline alliances, serving more countries than any of its rivals, a total of 135 territories. It also offers a wider range of alliance fare and sales products than all the competition combined.

Reflecting the quality of its partners, it was also the only alliance whose members ended last year with a collective profit.

The alliance is aimed at providing more services and value for its partners and their customers than any airline can achieve on its own. For passengers, this includes the opportunity to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles and points across the combined 575-destination oneworld network and, for top-tier customers, access to almost 400 airport lounges worldwide.

To encourage existing and new members of its airlines' frequent flyer programmes to explore more of its unrivalled network, the alliance is currently offering a special bonus of up to 15,000 miles or points, redeemable throughout the oneworld network. To participate, you need to fly on three oneworld airlines, using eligible fares, between 1 October and 31 November. See oneworld.com for details.

Its eight airlines and their affiliates carried more than 220 million passengers last year on a combined fleet of almost 2,000 aircraft, earning revenues of some US$50 billion.

Business Traveller’s is the only travel survey conducted by a UK-based publication which is independent, authoritative and which complies with the rules laid out by the Market Research Society.

Plane truth about seats
Testing `air' beds is an awakening Airlines upgrade business seating

ANNE DIMON
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Toronto Star, Sept. 23, 2004

Cathay Pacific's food service carts are still clinking by at 9 p.m., which for those on London time isn't a problem. But it's 3 a.m. at my destination and I should be sleeping.

I've been in transit for the last 43 hours during a world-wind tour on six airlines, through eight time zones and across four continents to sample business-class beds, the new soft sell being used to win the loyalty of frequent flyers.

Right now my body is en route to Hong Kong, but my internal clock is stuck in the twilight zone.

Shuttling back and forth between time zones can do that to you. But to subject yourself to the shuttle of your own free will? Yes, that is insane.

Altitude, different time zones, cramped quarters and travel stress are just a few of the reasons airline passengers find it hard to get shut-eye. So, who offers the best airborne bed? This body took flight to find out.

Flying Singapore to Johannesburg, I'm lying in one of the most comfortable sleeper seats in business class today and I can't sleep a wink. Singapore Airlines, which began its non-stop service from Singapore to New York on June 28, bills its Space Bed as "the biggest business-class bed in the sky" and at 69 cm across, it's certainly the widest.

This bed-hopping airborne marathon began several days ago with the launch of British Airways Club World Sleeper Service from Toronto to London. BA's signature flat beds are laid out in a somewhat busy arrangement with some facing the back of the plane, others facing the front. Folding fans offer privacy between paired seats.

In addition to a pre-boarding buffet, the new Sleeper Service also includes a light Nightcap menu, a self-serve galley for the midnight munchies, and a promise to keep announcements to a minimum.

Passenger Michele Sweeting, senior vice president of design and procurement for Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts says she likes the pre-boarding meal service.

"It's less disruptive and you can go right to sleep and not be bothered."

Tucking myself in, I notice that the pillow is larger and the blanket heavier than last time I flew BA's World Club.

The multi-functional seat is indeed comfortable but when lowered to its flat position, you feel somewhat cramped and there's no space to keep personal items handy. Several hours later I wake to the sounds of breakfast being served to the 13 out of 36 Sleeper Service passengers who requested it earlier in the flight. Like me, others just wanted to sleep through the whole thing and enjoy breakfast, a shower and complimentary neck and shoulder massage later in BA's Arrivals Lounge.

Following a 35-hour layover at Heathrow, Cathay Pacific's 11-hour flight to Hong Kong departs at 7 p.m. London time and my eyelids are so heavy I can barely read.

I rolled down the almost-flat seat with the push of a few buttons and tucked myself in. Pillows are about the same size as those on British Airways but more comfortable. Of course, pillows like beds (and airline seats that stretch into beds) are subject to individual preferences and Cathay has taken that into consideration — pillows are silk on one side, cotton on the other.

Cathay's newly launched long-haul business-class cabin includes features such as programmable mood lighting, noise reducing headphones and a bar area for mingling with other business-class passengers. I didn't get to mingle because I was too busy sleeping.

Multi-functional seats have lumbar support and aisle-seat armrests can be raised or lowered. Space for personal stuff even includes a little shelf for shoes. I finally did dose off and thanks to the shoulder screens I'm not accidentally flinging a wayward arm into a neighbour's lap. Somewhere over the Mozambique Channel, the aroma of a dim sum breakfast stirs me to wakefulness. Twelve hours after landing in Johannesburg, when I finally board one of SAA's new A340-300s bound for New York, via Dakar, I'm beginning to feel what Africaaners might call a little "moggy." The time zone shuffle can do that to a body.

I could have curled up in the airline's comfortable seat and slept for the entire 16-hour flight but to combat jetlag I put myself on destination time (3:15 p.m.) and keep myself awake until we are back in flight following a refuelling stop in Dakar.

Smuggling into the deployed seat, which rolls down to a lie-flat position, I discover a massage feature that feels like the chair is deep breathing. A cozy duvet, comfortable pillow and a flexible, personal reading lamp instead of the usual overhead reading light all add to the sleep environment. It's almost six hours later when I finally wake.

With only 18 seats in KLM's spacious business-class cabin, it looks more like First Class and that's because it once was. While the cabin affords travellers the most amount of personal space, seats are older, not as multi-featured as the other airlines, but when the body is this tired you could sleep standing up.

My seatmate who has been sleeping for the duration of the trip finally awakes and I take the opportunity to pepper him with questions. Raphael, a diplomat who travels two to three times a month, says he enjoyed about five hours sleep last night and he's planning to head straight to work from the airport. Newer sleeper-seats are now available on several KLM trans-Atlantic, Boeing 777 flights into Amsterdam.

Following the one-hour-and-15-minute flight from Amsterdam to Frankfurt, and another 11 hours at the Frankfurt International Airport, I have now boarded the final leg of this marathon.

While BA lays claim to having the first truly flat bed to fly, and Singapore Airlines offers the "biggest" bed, Lufthansa boasts the "longest bed in its class." stretching out to two metres. While that might seem sufficient long for the average traveller, "for me all beds are too short," says O.J. Krueck, a Frankfurt-based government consultant who travels extensively.

"I don't find too much difference in the seats, but the headrests on Lufthansa add to my comfort."

In addition to headrests, the seat offers six independently adjustable features including retractable armrests for more elbow room. I also liked the hand-held master control unit which meant I could manoeuvre the seat and control the entertainment system from any seat position. It's not a unique feature, but you can also save and recall your favourite seat position with the touch of a button. Each Private Bed has a table doubling as a privacy screen, but British Airways' folding fans still offer the most privacy.

The promotional material says the seat has about 100 positions but I didn't bother counting. I was too comfortable having an afternoon nap.

Following roughly 60 hours in mid-air and testing out almost as many seat/bed positions, I can absolutely conclude that there is no such thing as the definitive "best" business-class sleeper bed. While British Airways offers the most sleep-friendly environment, they are the only airline to offer an orchestrated "sleep service."

Personally I had the longest uninterrupted sleep on South African Airlines but it was also the longest flight and 90 per cent of the time we flew in darkness. Singapore Airlines has the widest bed but sleep was difficult for reasons that had nothing to do with comfort.

Conclusively, the ability to sleep in-flight depends on much more than seat comfort or how flat the bed lies. Time and duration of the flight, your own body clock, frame of mind, personal sleep patterns and individual preferences all impact heavily on sleep quality and quantity at 38,000 feet.


Anne Dimon is a Toronto-based freelance writer whose trip was subsidized by the airlines mentioned in this piece.

Source : pBase

http://www.pbase.com/image/32584205.jpg

Cathay @ Manchester Airport

http://www.pbase.com/image/26704857.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/26704909.jpg

Source : http://www.pbase.com/cathayderek/cathaycity

http://www.pbase.com/image/32830967.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/32830968.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/32830966.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/32830743.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/32830744.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/32830746.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/32830748.jpg

Cathay @ Manchester Airport
http://www.pbase.com/image/26704909.jpg

Is this one of the new cargo planes of Cathay??

^ All that the photographer has provided is that it is from Manchester this year and that it is a 'B- ME Cathay Pacific Cargo B747F'.

^ All that the photographer has provided is that it is from Manchester this year and that it is a 'B- ME Cathay Pacific Cargo B747F'.

I've never seen Cathay has a plain white cargo plane.
Cathay paints its cargo planes, too. So I was just wondering.

Cost of Rolls Royce Engines
Rolls-Royce to power eight additional aircraft for Cathay Pacific
14 April 2004 - Corporate Press Release

Rolls-Royce announced today (14 April) that its engines would power an additional eight aircraft for Cathay Pacific Airways.

Cathay Pacific has announced plans to purchase two Trent 800 powered Boeing 777s and three Trent 700 powered Airbus A330s. Delivery of these aircraft is scheduled to begin in April 2005 and August 2006 respectively. The value of the engine business to Rolls-Royce is $120 million.

http://www.airchive.com/Timetables%20and%20Maps/Asia/CATHAYcover1991

http://www.airchive.com/Timetables%20and%20Maps/Asia/CATHAYmap91.jpg

07 September 2004
Cathay Pacific opens premium lounge at Heathrow’s Terminal 3

Cathay Pacific Airways today formally opened its new First & Business Class lounge at Heathrow’s Terminal 3 which offers spa-quality facilities to premium passengers and top-tier frequent flier club members departing on any of the airline’s three daily non-stop flights to Hong Kong.

Based upon the design concepts of UK architect John Pawson, who created “The Wing,” Cathay Pacific’s award-winning lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, the London lounge offers a clam, relaxing style and quality of service matched only by the airline’s service inflight.

Bespoke walnut, crystal and marble finishes lend five-star elegance to a space that is suited for both work and relaxation. Personal Living Spaces with state-of-the-art business facilities are complemented by fine leather seating, showers, a wide choice of Asian and Western dishes in special dining areas, fine wine and beverages and a dedicated team of knowledgeable lounge staff.

The lounge also includes the five-metre “Long Table,” an iconic feature of Cathay Pacific’s premium lounges across its network. Softly illuminated rice paper-lined glass “landscaped” walls containing washed river pebbles and bamboo plants provide a hint of natural Asia elegance to the lounge environment.

Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: “With 21 non-stop flights to Hong Kong every week, London is our key destination in Europe and the gateway to seamless connections across our network to destinations throughout Asia and onwards to Australia. Our new lounge underscores our commitment to provide passengers with a level of service quality and consistency that’s unmatched by any other airline.”

Food and drink:
As well as European cuisine, a range of Asian dishes such as dim sum or noodles is also on offer. The choice is frequently varied to ensure that even the regular traveller has something new to look forward to. Also available is a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Information on passenger preferences comes from a number of different sources, and specifications will be adjusted from time to time based on comments from passengers and observations from Cathay Pacific staff. The aim is to provide passengers with an ongoing variety of food and to periodically revise the menu accordingly.

Work Areas:
The new lounge offers Business travellers state-of-the-art technology enabling them to remain plugged into the office, including broadband, modem and wireless access along with payphones. Passengers can choose to use their own technology in the relaxed comfort of the seating area or the state of the art Internet desktops. Entertainment options range from surfing the Internet and sampling the reading materials, to viewing plasma TV screens offering cable, digital and terrestrial channels.

A “Personal Living Space ” (PLS) offers a comfortable place to work, email, or surf the Internet on IBM Netvistor computers with flat screen 15 inch desktops. The eight PLS stations in Business Class offer a 1.65m workspace. The five stations in First Class boast a two metre workspace finished in rich dark timber, surrounded by leather clad panels. All workstations are illuminated with individual ‘Mistral’ desk lamps from Studio Italia. Ample laptop connections and power points are provided, as well as broadband wireless access. Etched glass screens provide privacy, and coat hooks at each PLS are a thoughtful touch.

Passenger Services:
Specially trained Cathay Pacific staff are on hand to assist passengers with ticketing or reservations queries, business facilities or Marco Polo Club services. Flight Information Display Screens are located in the lounge to keep passengers informed about any changes to their flight schedules.

DESIGN ELEMENTS:
Manager, Product Sarah Blomfield says, “Our intent was to impart a sense of tranquillity and uncluttered design, keeping it simple, somewhat muted, but cool and contemporary in colour palette. Only the finest quality materials were used to create a comfortable but distinctive environment. Much of the beauty of the lounge is in the detail.”

She continues, “We used clean lines and natural toned colours for furniture and finishes to make the most of the linear space and create a calm and contemporary environment. The guiding concept behind the design was to create an escape away from the noise and bustle normally experienced at an airport. The layout is based on the concept that different areas are destinations in themselves yet should flow naturally from one to another. Areas have been planned to maximise the use of space and to serve their functional purpose – whether working, watching television, relaxing or dining”.

Lighting:
Lighting has been designed with a mixture of down lights and compact fluorescents to provide directional ambient and wash lighting. The principle of having flexible, controllable lighting, with energy saving control systems has been employed throughout. Table lamps in First Class are by Louis Poulsen and in Business Class are Glashutte Limburg.

Furniture & Flooring:
Furniture in Business Class includes two types of single lounge seats, plus the Eames low back aluminium task chairs in black leather. Custom made leather topped cube stools are situated at the Long Table. Lounge seating is arranged in groupings in different areas, punctuated with elm cube corner tables, stone inlaid coffee tables and round coffee tables.

In First Class, there is more emphasis on sofa seating, with similar coffee and corner tables in the lounge areas. The PLS feature Eames low back Soft Pad group tsa chairs, upholstered in black leather.

For both Business Class and First Class, contemporary-design Axminster rugs from the world-renowned Tai Ping Carpet Company define the seat groups.

Toilets & Showers:
There are three shower units for use by both First and Business passengers. Finishes include Riverstone and slate in the shower areas, and an attendant is on hand to provide fresh towels and other amenities on demand.

The Future:
Cathay Pacific believes that passengers’ ever increasing expectations will always guide the development of lounge facilities, and keeping a close eye on their expectations and preferences is a key activity. Lounge facilities and the way in which the environment is controlled are likely to be driven by technological advances in the next few years - the advent of wireless access in lounges is a good example of how things have changed in just a couple of years. Changes in hospitality design and social trends will also obviously play a key role in the design of lounges for the future.


Notes to Editors
*Lounge Awards

August 2002, The Wing was named The World’s Best Airline Lounge.

2004 Skytrax survey voted Cathay Pacific’s lounges as the best in the world. Cathay also received top ratings for both Best First Class Lounge and Best Business Class Lounge in the same survey.

Cathay Pacific was named “Best of the Best” in the Top Service Award in a Next Magazine’s readers poll (one of Hong Kong’s most widely circulated weekly general interest magazines).

Cathay Pacific receives Top Service Gold Award – Next Magazine.

The Wing was also recently named first in a Forbes magazine list of The World’s Ten Best Airport Lounges.

**Lounge Entry Criteria:
First Class Lounge is open to the following:

First Class passengers of all oneworld alliance airlines

The Marco Polo Club Diamond Card members when travelling on Cathay Pacific flights

Cargo Clan Elite members

All Emerald status members of oneworld alliance airlines Frequent Flyer Programmes when the next onward flight is with a oneworld member airline.
Business Class Lounge is open to:

Business Class passengers of all oneworld alliance airlines.

The Marco Polo Club Diamond Card members when travelling with other carriers

The Marco Polo Club Gold and Silver Card members when travelling on Cathay Pacific flights

The Marco Polo Club Gold Card members when travelling Cathay long haul in any class into Hong Kong with same day connection to mainland China on any carrier

Cargo Clan Elite members

All Sapphire status members of oneworld alliance airlines Frequent Flyer Programmes when the next onward flight is with a oneworld members airline.

Want a plasma TV with your duty-free vodka, sir?

Simon Parry
3 October 2004
South China Morning Post

Hong Kong people used to be content to leave their passion for shopping behind for a couple of hours as they flew away on holiday.

But now they are getting down to some serious purchasing as soon as the seat-belt light goes out.

As well as the usual cartons of cigarettes and bottles of whisky, Cathay Pacific passengers are ordering everything from $5,000 home-theatre systems to $26,800 massage chairs and even $40,000 plasma-screen TVs as they cruise at 10,000 metres.

The big-ticket items, delivered to a passenger's home in time for the end of their holiday, have proved such a hit since their launch in July that tomorrow the airline will further expand the range of duty-free goods you could not possibly fit into your hand luggage.

The in-flight sales boom is boosting Cathay's revenue by $120 million a year and the number of items on sale in-flight has risen from 74 in 1994, with top prices of a few hundred dollars, to 174 today with a combined value of well over $100,000.

Cathay chief operating officer Philip Chen Nan-lok told airline employees at a recent briefing that spending on in-flight duty-free items was on a "steady upward trend" and was already bringing in more than $10 million a month.

The average passenger now spends $11 on duty-free purchases and Cathay aims to persuade its customers to part with even more money by increasing the selection and dishing out air miles with purchases from this month.

Special crews dedicated to in-flight sales are being introduced on shorter routes to South Korea and Taiwan to ensure that rushed cabin crew do not miss out on any orders, and a website is to be launched to let passengers browse through what is on offer before they fly.

Cathay Pacific declined requests for interviews about the expansion of its in-flight sales, but a marketing expert said the airline appeared to be following the lead of other carriers such as America's United Airlines by cashing in on a captive consumer base.

"The aim is to take advantage of impulse purchasing - and impulse purchasing is likely to go up after a couple of drinks," said Professor Gerald Gorn of the University of Science and Technology.

"The audience is literally captive on the plane. This should result in more exposure to catalogue items than under more normal circumstances."

The expansion of the range might affect duty-free sales at the airport, Professor Gorn said, but he pointed out: "Some of these larger items aren't available at the airport and not all passengers have enough time before their flight to do duty-free shopping.

"And in any case it wouldn't matter to the airline if it cannibalised duty-free sales at the airport. What they sell is putting money in their pockets."

The role model for Cathay's expansion may be United, which on its US domestic flights has an extensive sales catalogue featuring goods from different companies. There are phones on board for passengers to place free calls for home delivery.

Floran Lee, spokeswoman for short-haul specialist Dragonair, which has a $1,100 digital camera as its priciest electronic item for sale, said the airline was also expanding its range. This month it launched a separate in-flight magazine for duty-free sales.

"In keeping with market tastes, we are looking to expand the items available from traditional ones such as cosmetics and jewellery, to small electronic devices such as digital cameras, and health products such as calorie-burning monitors and pedometers," she said.

Copyright 2004 South China Morning Post Ltd.
October 5, 2004

Air miles ahead in customer care Cathay Pacific has designed a system to link all aspects of communication
Danyll Wills

Ever had this happen to you when dealing with customer service? You give your name, define the problem and then get passed on to someone else. You start all over.

Maybe you have e-mailed customer service, but when you call no one seems to have read your e-mail.

This may be unpleasant when dealing with a phone company, but is completely unacceptable if you are about to get on a plane.

"We try to present a single view to the customer. We do not want people constantly reintroducing themselves all the time. Recognition and differentiation are very important," Cathay Pacific Airways general manager of loyalty programmes Dominic Purvis said.

At Hong Kong's flagship carrier, customer inquiries - whether a fax, phone call or e-mail - are handled with a "unified messaging system" and consolidated into one customer profile.

Every time a passenger comes into contact with Cathay, the customer service representative is already clued in.

It is just one way the company is using technology to better serve customers. "A full suite for us cannot be just telephones. There are four major touch points for us: reservation, check-in, in-flight service and loyalty services," Mr Purvis said.

"Many of our interactions take place in different ways: face to face, telephone, Web, e-mail or SMS."

To Mr Purvis, it is not technology that is important, but how technology is deployed to better serve passengers.

"Managing our relationship with our customers does not require technology. We have tried to interact with our customers for more than 30 years with programmes such as Asia Miles and the Marco Polo Club for example, and we find it is our people who make the difference," he said.

Cathay has a database of about 2.3 million people who fly with the airline on a regular basis. It contains answers to questions such as how customers prefer to be contacted, where they live and what language they use.

But the airline is careful not to intrude on privacy.

"All these are questions we need to know the answers to but we must be extremely careful about how we get this information and how we use it," Mr Purvis said.

It may be that Chloe Jones was born in Beijing and prefers to speak Putonghua, while her British husband prefers English. If the flight attendants know this, they can better serve them. But if they congratulate Mr Jones on his daughter's recent graduation, he may not be too happy that a complete stranger has that kind of knowledge about his personal life.

Anna Or, head of Cathay's customer relationship management programme, said the airline had begun looking at data mining, data warehousing and other forms of analysing data on customers in 1996.

But it was difficult finding any software or solution that fitted its needs. Most of the large vendors were targeting their software at telecommunications companies and financial institutions.

Cathay decided to build its own solution. "In 1996, we wanted to make use of the information we had on our customers. In particular, we introduced more targeted marketing and improved our service. We were able to do this because we based it on the customer's preferences and history with the company," Ms Or said.

By 2001, however, the technology had changed.

"We started looking at who is using what. We looked at Oracle, PeopleSoft and many of the other big names. They were targeting telecoms, financial institutions, but there was nothing for airlines. Many of them said things like: 'It's a full suite' and the like. But it really wasn't," she said.

A telecommunications company, for example, knows its customers are going to call for some kind of help, but they will be relatively stationary.

For Cathay, the customer by definition is on the move. Few vendors had solutions which recognised this aspect of the airline's business.

Cathay has the manpower and resources to build its own systems and it does so with the help of others, such as IBM's Global Services Organisation. Nevertheless, it is a complex process and requires everybody - from top management to partners - to understand the issues.

Mr Purvis did not see an easy solution in sight.

"The legacy systems we - and everybody else - have put in place do not put the customer first," Mr Purvis said.

"Before deciding to invest in new technology, it was vital to re-examine the way we interact with our customers.

"Part of the technology review we did was to look at what exists and what should exist."

Ms Or said that the vendors were beginning to change a little.

"We are seeing some signs that the vendors are looking at the airlines," she said.

Copyright 2004 South China Morning Post Ltd.
October 6, 2004

Cathay warns of $ 1b extra costs The carrier is undecided about applying for an extension to the fuel surcharge
Russell Barling

Cathay Pacific Airways yesterday said its fuel costs were expected to rise HK$ 1 billion this year as surging oil prices continued to add to operating expenses.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines (Dragonair) said it would apply to the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) next month for an extension to its fuel surcharge, with no sign that jet fuel prices would recede in the short term.

"We may have to pay in excess of HK$ 1 billion more for fuel over the whole year," Cathay spokeswoman Carolyn Leung Yuet-fong said yesterday, adding that the company would have to renew efforts to keep other costs down and increase productivity to offset the impact that would have on earnings.

The airline remains undecided whether to seek an extension to its fuel surcharge.

Dragonair said fuel costs accounted for 20 per cent of its operating expenses in August, up from 8 per cent two years ago. However, 20 per cent of the rise was due to a comparative 28 per cent jump in the size of its passenger fleet.

"If fuel prices remain at current levels for the remainder of this year, it would result in additional costs for us of HK$ 400 million to $ 500 million," Dragonair spokeswoman Laura Crampton said. "We plan to apply for extension of the surcharge given that the cost of fuel remains at such a high level."

Crude oil for November delivery surged to a record US$ 50.70 a barrel in New York on Monday.

Dragonair was allowed by the CAD on September 1 to add HK$ 54 per flight to partially compensate for higher fuel costs, but that deal expires at the end of next month. Cathay was allowed to charge an extra US$ 7 for short-haul and $ 19 for long-haul flights.

Cathay chairman James Hughes-Hallett said in May that every one US cent rise in the price of a gallon of fuel added HK$ 60 million to the airline's operating costs.

At the time, jet fuel trading in Singapore was priced at US$ 48.60 a barrel. The commodity was trading at US$ 58.15 a barrel on Monday, a level which would increase Cathay's fuel-based operating costs by HK$ 1.36 billion if the higher level was maintained for the full year.

The airline's fuel bill was HK$ 3.43 billion in the first half, up 39 per cent year on year. Fuel has since risen to 25 per cent of operating costs for the carrier from 21.8 per cent in the first half.

Cathay is strongly hedged this year, pre-buying at lower rates 65 million to 70 million gallons of fuel per quarter, according to its annual report last year. That drops dramatically next year to less than 10 million gallons in the first two quarters.

"Our hedging positions are limited," Ms Leung said. "With fuel prices at record highs we will increase our cover cautiously, as the downside risk is at present greater than the upside protection."

Cathay speaks of hope in new 'Home' HK spot

By Christy Liu
8 October 2004
(c) 2004 Media & Marketing Limited. All Rights Reserved.

HONG KONG: Hong Kong's main carrier Cathay Pacific has launched a three-month long integrated campaign to reinforce the brand's affinity with local residents amid an upswing in travel demand.

'Home', a television-led campaign, with print, outdoor, and online support, was created by McCann Erickson, to reinforce Cathay's positioning as the home carrier in order to leverage the dividends the role offers. There is a clear attempt to rally the local market with positive images - the many faces of Hong Kong, both its people and its real estate, including a final shot of the new and towering IFC development.

Stephania Ling, senior business director for McCann Hong Kong, said that both the airline and Hong Kong people had endured many crises in recent years. "Cathay is making it its business to lift people's spirits," she said.

The creative is based on extensive research McCann conducted before creating the campaign. "We found out that 'hope' and 'determination' are the two key elements helping Hong Kong people to overcome difficulties. The point of the campaign is to remind people that they can do anything they want if they keep their hopes high."

The new ads, with their focus on people, follow Cathay's two-year-old 'Straight from the Heart' campaign.

Local media is reporting on October 8th that Cathay will change their uniforms. The new ones are illustrated on the left while the old style is on the right.

Source : Apple Daily

http://appledaily.atnext.com/images/apple-photos/640pix/20041008/Article_news/newx212.gif

Tuesday October 12, 6:38 PM
Cathay Sept passenger traffic down 14 pct from Aug

HONG KONG, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's main carrier, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. , said on Tuesday it carried 1.09 million passengers in September, down about 14 percent from August, amid a seasonally slower period.

The airline said its passenger load factor in September dipped to 75.2 percent from 80.3 precent in the previous month.

Cathay Pacific carried 83,687 tonnes of cargo in September, up from 77,395 tonnes in August.

"Demand for exports from mainland China remains strong but there is a great deal more capacity coming into the market which will exert downward pressure on yields when demand softens," said Ron Mathison, director & general manager for cargo.

"Similarly, the escalating price of jet fuel remains a serious issue," he said.

Press Release 12 October 2004
Cathay Pacific releases September 2004 traffic figures

Cathay Pacific Airways today released traffic figures for September 2004, a seasonally slower period for passenger operations but the start of the year-end peak for cargo.

In September, the airline carried 1,094,497 passengers, down from 1,268,343 carried during August. September’s passenger load factor correspondingly dipped to 75.2 percent from 80.3 percent the month before.

The airline carried 83,687 tonnes of cargo in September, up from 77,395 tonnes in August, as the year-end peak for the freight business found its stride. The cargo load factor edged up to 69.6 percent from 64.7 percent a month ago.

Cumulatively, over the first three quarters of 2004, the number of passengers and cargo carried by the airline increased 15.0 percent and 10.6 percent respectively over the same period last year.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales & Distribution Ian Shiu said: “September’s figures got a boost from the adjacent Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays which lifted leisure travel out of Hong Kong. Front-end loads were also strong, as evidenced by an all-time record in terms of the number of passengers who used our First and Business Class lounges at Hong Kong International Airport. Still, we have deepening concerns about the rising price of fuel.”

Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: “Demand for exports from Mainland China remains strong but there is a great deal more capacity coming into the market which will exert downward pressure on yields when demand softens. Similarly, the escalating price of jet fuel remains a serious issue.”

Detailed Statistical Data
http://www.cathaypacific.com/intl/aboutus/press/0,3845,31342-112259,00.html

13 October 2004 Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific won two TTG Travel Awards Best North Asian Airline and Best Airline Business Class

Cathay Pacific Airways has once again been recognised for its service excellence, being voted Best North Asian Airline and Best Airline Business Class by TTG Asia and TTG China readers in this year’s TTG Asia Travel Awards.

The TTG Asia Travel Awards have recognised the region’s travel trade leaders since 1989. “Winners have the honour of knowing they have the recognition and respect of their colleagues and members of the travel trade in the Asia-Pacific," says the magazine. They are awarded purely on the basis of votes cast by TTG Asia and TTG China magazine readers.

Cathay Pacific Director Sales and Marketing James Barrington said: “We are honored that industry partners in the region have acknowledged the quality of our product and service and our continued efforts to seek improvement. We will continue to work hard to deliver an excellent product and value to our customers.”

Cathay Pacific Airways offers scheduled passenger and cargo services to 90 destinations in 30 countries and territories around the world. The network extends from Southeast Asia to Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East, New Zealand and Australia. With recent enhancements to Cathay Pacific’s in-flight service and entertainment system, StudioCX, the airline’s passengers can enjoy more than 350 hours of audio and video entertainment.

Local media is reporting on October 8th that Cathay will change their uniforms. The new ones are illustrated on the left while the old style is on the right.

Source : Apple Daily

http://appledaily.atnext.com/images/apple-photos/640pix/20041008/Article_news/newx212.gif


Change again? I don't think so, the left drawing looks exactly like the current one and when their coat is taken off it looks just like the drawing on the right.

the main change is on the length of the skirts-- lengthened to the knee
the Cathay logo on the blouse will be in red and yellow only
and the uniform of the inflight service manger changed from an one-piece to the blue one in the drawing.

Cathay denies 747 in near miss with Lantau peak
Zach Coleman, Hong Kong Standard
October 15, 2004

Cathay Pacific Airways is investigating the landing of a flight from London that went off course in poor weather.

Cathay insisted in a statement Thursday that: "At no stage, was the safety of the aircraft or passengers in question,'' disputing an account in the Daily Telegraph newspaper in London that said the Boeing 747-400 had nearly stalled and narrowly avoided crashing into a Lantau mountain during the August 30 landing.

CX252, one of three daily flights from London, had about 300 passengers on board.

"Cathay Pacific strongly objects to the speculative and extremely sensational aspects of the story filed,'' the airline's statement said. "The aircraft was always comfortably above any speed, which could have led to a stall. The aircraft was never, at any stage, close to terrain or another aircraft. It did not fly over Lantau Island!''

The Civil Aviation Department is not conducting its own investigation, but is monitoring Cathay's probe. A separate statement issued by the department on Thursday said that initial reports showed there were no other planes in the air near the 747.

Four pilots were in the cockpit during the landing. By all accounts, as the plane approached Chek Lap Kok at about 8am, a cockpit sensor alerted the pilots of possible windshear.Following standard procedure, the pilots broke off the approach to circle around for another pass.

During this go-around, the plane went 25 degrees off course, first to the left, then to the right, according to the CAD's statement. Cathay confirmed the plane's departure from its assigned path Thursday, saying: "The aircraft did deviate momentarily from the approved flight path'' but denied the Telegraph's report that the plane was almost 180 degrees off course.

Both the CAD and Cathay statements said merely that "the autopilot was disengaged'' during the go-around. The newspaper story and postings on a pilots' web bulletin board, citing Cathay pilots, said the flight deck crew did not know for some time that the autopilot was off.

In response, Cathay said that "the captain and the first officer were closely monitoring the performance of the aircraft at all times with the captain making regular inputs to the flight controls as required''.

In the Telegraph's dramatic account, the aircraft climbed above 6,000 feet on its own. CAD, however, said that the plane's captain "continued to climb towards the initially assigned altitude of 4,500 feet, which was subsequently raised to 6,000 feet''.

Cathay denied that the pilots received urgent instructions from air traffic controllers (ATC) as portrayed by the Telegraph. "Communications between ATC and the aircraft, during the go-around procedure, were normal and professional,'' the airline said.

The captain reported the off-course turns to Cathay after landing and the airline then reported the incident to CAD. CAD, according to its own statement, then told the airline "to immediately remind all flight crew of the procedures to be followed during a go-around, and in particular, a windshear initiated go-around and the associated use of the autopilot''. Cathay then sent a notice to its crew.

John Findlay, general secretary of Cathay's pilot union, said he was not aware of the incident before Thursday.

Cathay spokeswoman Carolyn Leung said that the investigation would take at least two months. The airline said the investigation would determine what role pilot handling and bad weather played in the off-course turns.

Copyright 2004, The Standard, Sing Tao Newspaper Group and Global China Group. All rights reserved. No content may be redistributed or republished, either eletronically or in print, without express written consent of The Standard.

The Cathay autopilot story is making quite a splash in the Hong Kong media, featuring as the top story in one of the bestselling Chinese newspapers :

http://the-sun.com.hk/tsnmain/20041015/img/1015main.jpg

http://the-sun.com.hk/channels/news/20041015/img/a11015_big.jpg

Cathay mulls legal action over story; But UK news reporter stands by 'seconds from disaster' claim
Simon Parry
16 October 2004
South China Morning Post

Cathay Pacific is considering taking legal action over a report in a UK newspaper which said one of the airline's jumbo jet's carrying 350 passengers was "seconds from disaster" as it came in to land at Chek Lap Kok.

The airline's management is said to be furious over what they believe was a "very irresponsible report" in the Daily Telegraph on Thursday over an incident on a flight from London on August 30.

However, the journalist who wrote the report, the Telegraph's transport correspondent Paul Marston, said from London yesterday he stood by his story and insisted Cathay had challenged only "less important details" of his article.

The airline has mounted an investigation into how the Boeing 747-400 strayed off course as it came in to land at Chek Lap Kok when the autopilot was disengaged, apparently without the pilots noticing.

The autopilot "tripped out" as the plane did a "go-around" after the flight crew received a wind-shear warning 1,035 metres above ground, and the plane flew for a period with the pilot and first officer wrongly believing the autopilot was still engaged.

During that period, the plane climbed steeply to 1,830 metres and went "25 degrees to the left and then some 25 degrees to the right of the runway heading [course]" before the pilots realised the autopilot was off and took control.

Marston, who broke the story, claimed in his report the plane had been "veering almost 180 degrees off course towards mountains" and "came within seconds of a catastrophic stall".

Cathay issued a statement strongly denying elements of his report and saying: "To suggest it was 'perilously close to a peak on the island of Lantau' is {hellip} not just incorrect but irresponsible."

A company source said the airline was considering legal action over the article.

But Marston said last night: "Naturally, we stand by our story. Cathay have sought to highlight what they say are inaccuracies in some of the less important details."

A senior Hong Kong-based pilot familiar with the incident said he believed the Telegraph report was "accurate on the whole, if a bit sensationalised".

"There was never any real danger of a crash," the pilot said. "There were three further safety nets that would have prevented it if the flight crew had continued in the mistaken belief that the autopilot was not engaged."

18 October 2004
Cathay Pacific offers Elemis travel kit in First Class

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced the offer of Elemis travel kits on its long-haul flights to and from Hong Kong. The kit, with two different packing, will be offered to the long-haul First Class passengers.

The two different kits have been developed with contents tailored to take care of the different needs of male and female passengers. All of the products have been specially selected to enhance passenger comfort by both relaxing them during the flight, and helping them revitalise afterwards.

Female kit includes Lip Rescue, Cooling Eye Gel and Instant Refreshing Gel, while male kit contains Lip Rescue, Skin Survival Cream and Moisture Mint Shaving Gel. Both kits also include a selection of convenience items such as dental set, mouthwash and earplug.

Created in 1990, the Elemis range of advanced skincare formulations and professional spa-therapies provide life-enhancing solutions for every man and woman. Addressing specific skin and body conditions, the unique and potent formulations dynamically treat the skin with powerful results, whilst re-awakening the senses. Elemis is seen as the most innovative leader in advanced scientific phyto-therapy and aroma therapeutic spa and skincare formulations.

All of the features in Cathay Pacific’s First Class have been selected to give passengers more choice, and a greater control of their travel experience. The luxurious cabin features an ultra-comfortable seat which can be converted into one of the widest sleeper seats in the sky. Passengers may choose from a wealth of StudioCX inflight entertainment which is currently being enhanced to include the latest AVOD technology – Audio and Video on Demand.

The First Class galley is equipped with rice cookers and toasters so First Class passengers can now enjoy a range of freshly cooked cuisine, including steamed rice, congee, eggs, and toast. The buffet table offers extra flexibility in meal presentation, and freshly brewed espresso and cappuccino are available on all flights.

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19 October 2004
Cathay Pacific Granted Further Rights for Mainland Services

Cathay Pacific Airways was today informed by the HKSAR Government that it has been granted rights to operate additional passenger services to Beijing as well as new cargo services to Shanghai and passenger services to Xiamen.

The airline has been allocated rights to operate four additional weekly services to Beijing during the Winter 2004 season and a further seven weekly flights from Summer 2005.

The airline will also be allocated rights upon designation to operate three weekly passenger services to Xiamen and 12 weekly freighter services to Shanghai, both with effect from Winter 2004.

With these allocations Cathay Pacific intends to increase its three-times-weekly service to Beijing to a daily service from December 2004, operate a three-times-weekly passenger service to Xiamen and launch twelve weekly freighter services to Shanghai in 2005, subject to operational requirements.

Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: “Cathay Pacific is committed and ready to serve key cities in the Mainland in order to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global aviation hub and the primary gateway to the Chinese Mainland.

“Being able to operate a daily service to Beijing is welcome, yet still a small entry into this market. There also remains a need to secure an early start of Cathay Pacific passenger services to Shanghai, currently the third-busiest passenger route out of Hong Kong after Taipei and Bangkok. This would be the most effective way to increase the volume of passenger traffic to and through Hong Kong.”

Cathay Pacific has been licensed to operate 21 weekly services to each of Beijing and Shanghai, and three weekly services to Xiamen.

Wednesday October 20, 8:59 PM
HK's Cathay to take 9.9 pct stake in Air China
By Tony Munroe

HONG KONG, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. will buy a 9.9 percent stake in Air China when China's flag carrier launches an initial public offering, the airlines said on Wednesday.

The deal, which took observers by surprise, gives a boost to Cathay's long-frustrated China ambitions and could make Air China's planned IPO more attractive, one analyst said.

Beijing-based Air China, which is the mainland's third-largest carrier, has applied to the Hong Kong stock exchange for its IPO, the companies said in a statement.

It hopes to list its shares by late this year or early 2005 in an offer that could raise more than US$500 million and may also include a secondary listing in London, a source familiar with the deal said earlier on Wednesday.

"In my view, it's going to be a hard sell in this market. But with Cathay as a strategic investor, it may help," said Michael Chan, aviation analyst at BOC International.

Hong Kong-based Cathay is the territory's dominant carrier, but its access to fast-growing mainland China has been limited to just three passenger flights a week to Beijing.

This week it said it won rights to add additional passenger services to Beijing, as well as new cargo services to Shanghai and passenger service to Xiamen.

The agreement between Cathay and state-owned Air China calls for further cooperation between the two, including potential alignment of their networks.

"Strategically, it is immensely important for (Cathay)," industry consultant David Dodwell said.

Industry watchers had long expected Cathay to broaden its cooperation with China Eastern Airlines , which is based in Shanghai, a market Cathay covets.

Air China is expected to sell 27 to 28 percent of its enlarged share capital at eight to 10 times its forecast 2004 net profit, sources have said previously. It earned 93 million yuan (US$11.2 million) in 2003.

Cathay Pacific, which is 46 percent owned by property-focused conglomerate Swire Pacific Ltd. , will take 9.9 percent of the expanded share capital of Air China.

"We believe that there are many areas of our operations where we can cooperate together and leverage our respective strengths," Kong Dong, vice chairman of Air China, said in the statement.

Air China's IPO is being underwritten by Merrill Lynch and China International Capital Corp.

"We look forward to becoming Air China's strategic partner and to a mutually beneficial relationship between our two companies," David Turnbull, Cathay's chief executive, said in the statement.

As of June 30, Air China operated a fleet of 136 aircraft serving 69 domestic and 34 international destinations.

The tie-up would further complicate the ownership structures of the respective carriers.

Under the structure of its IPO, Air China will hold 69 percent of Hong Kong-listed China National Aviation Co. Ltd. (CNAC), CNAC said earlier this month. CNAC owns 43 percent of number-two Hong Kong carrier Dragonair, while Cathay owns a 19 percent stake in Dragonair and Swire holds 7.7 percent.

Press Release - 20 October 2004
Possible strategic equity investment by Cathay Pacific in Air China

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This press release is not an offer of securities for sale by Air China in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration, and any public offering of securities by Air China to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from Air China or the selling security holder that will contain detailed information about Air China and its management as well as its financial statements.

Summary

Air China Limited (“Air China”) and Cathay Pacific Airways Limited (“Cathay Pacific”) jointly announce that they have today entered into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) stating Cathay Pacific’s intention to acquire a 9.9% shareholding in Air China at the time of Air China’s IPO. The MOU also deals with future cooperation between the two companies. Both companies consider that the proposed strategic investment will serve as a platform from which to explore further opportunities for developing a closer partnership.

Strategic Equity Investment

Air China proposes to list its H shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange by way of a global equity offering. An application has been made to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for the listing of, and permission to deal in, the H Shares of Air China.

On 20th October 2004, Cathay Pacific entered into a MOU with Air China stating Cathay Pacific’s intention to acquire a 9.9% shareholding in Air China at the time of its Initial Public Offering (“IPO”), subject to completion of a strategic placing agreement which would be entered into by both parties prior to the IPO. Upon entering into this strategic placing agreement, Cathay Pacific will make a further announcement.

Future Cooperation Between Air China and Cathay Pacific

The MOU also deals with future cooperation between Air China and Cathay Pacific.

Air China and Cathay Pacific consider that a healthy aviation industry, which includes the continued growth and prosperity of both companies, will be assisted by the proposed strategic investment. The potential alignment of the networks of Cathay Pacific and Air China should assist in further developing and maintaining both Hong Kong International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport as gateways to, and hubs for, Mainland China.

The MOU sets out the framework for discussing, among other things, the objective of exploring the opportunities for developing a close partnership and co-operation between the aviation and related businesses of Cathay Pacific and Air China in Hong Kong and Mainland China, including:

- Joint marketing and sales activities to promote traffic between city pairs in their respective networks;
- Co-ordination of operating schedules to enable the maximum feeding of passengers and cargo between their airlines;
- Co-operation in the areas of engineering, ground handling, catering, cargo services, information technology, purchasing, safety and security;
- Exchange and secondment of staff between the airlines; and
- Product development support.

Commenting on the signing of the MOU:

Mr. Li Jiaxiang, Chairman of Air China, said “We welcome Cathay Pacific’s proposed equity investment and the clear confidence in Air China’s future that this investment represents.”

Mr. David Turnbull, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific said “We look forward to becoming Air China’s strategic partner and to a mutually beneficial relationship between our two companies.”

Mr. Kong Dong, Vice-Chairman of Air China said “We believe that there are many areas of our operations where we can cooperate together and leverage our respective strengths for the future prosperity of both companies.”

Cathay to cut fuel hedging
Danny Chung, Hong Kong Standard

Cathay Pacific Airways will reduce its fuel-hedging activity by more than half next year due to rising oil prices.

Director of corporate development Tony Tyler said next year's hedging would drop to "single figures" from 25 per cent for the second half of 2004.

"We did some hedging this year but prices were very high. We didn't take up as much as we used to," he said at an aviation forum at the Foreign Correspondent's Club on Thursday.

Most international airlines buy futures contracts for fuel to guard against sudden increases in the price of oil, which hit US$54 (HK$421.20) a barrel in recent days. Earnings may be hurt further by rising prices if fuel costs are not shielded by hedging.

Cathay said that oil prices would push its full-year fuel expenses beyond its initial HK$1 billion budget.

It also said fuel costs for the first half have already exceeded that of the previous year by HK$400 million.

Tyler expected prices to drop to US$35 to US$40 a barrel, which was "still going to be high", and that they were unlikely to drop to the previous long-term average of US$25 a barrel.

On Tuesday, Cathay announced plans to buy a 9.9 per cent stake in Air China, the mainland's third largest, when the carrier launches its initial public offering this year.

The news failed to boost Cathay's shares, which remained unchanged on Thursday. The stock price has fallen by almost 11 per cent this year on oil price concerns.

"We view the move as positive and enhancing Cathay Pacific's position in the China market," Kim Eng Securities said in a report.

However, Tyler denied the investment was linked to the issue of getting additional flights into the mainland.

The deal comes closely after Pacific was allowed to increase passenger and cargo flights in the mainland following a recent air-services deal signed between Hong Kong and Beijing.

The government granted rights to Cathay on Tuesday to operate four additional services a week to Beijing starting in the winter and a further seven weekly flights from next summer.

In addition, Cathay could begin three passenger services a week to Xiamen and 12 weekly cargo services to Shanghai.

The airline is also looking to operate passenger flights to Shanghai, the third busiest route out of Hong Kong after Taipei and Bangkok.

However, according to the air-services agreement, it would have to wait until October 2006 before flights to Shangahi can begin.

Rival Hong Kong Dragon Airlines, in which Cathay holds a 17.79 per cent stake, is the only carrier in Hong Kong that operates services to Shanghai.

According to the Civil Aviation Department, two million passengers travelled between Hong Kong and Shanghai in the year to the end of March.

Earlier this year, Airbus SAS, the world's largest commercial aircraft maker forecast passenger traffic to grow at 8.1 per cent a year until 2022.

22 October 2004 / 01:49 AM

Cathay stake boosts Air China listing - Strategic investment pushes issue forecasts past US$800m

Stephen Seawright and staff reporters
22 October 2004
South China Morning Post

Cathay Pacific Airways' agreement to buy 9.9 per cent of Air China is expected to boost the size of the mainland flag carrier's pending share offering by at least 30 per cent.

Air China had planned to raise up to US$600 million, but the target is now likely to be at least $800 million, with one market source even predicting a target of $1.2 billion, although others said that would be difficult to achieve.

"Cathay's strategic investment will definitely help the offering," a source said. "This is a very simple and attractive story. China's domestic travel is surging. As a national carrier, Air China is in the best position to capture the growth.

"Teaming up with Cathay will make Air China a much stronger and bigger player that no other domestic rival can compete with."

Air China is planning to sell 30 per cent of its shares to the public through a Hong Kong-London dual listing, in which 9.9 per cent of the company would be taken up by Cathay. As a result, Merrill Lynch and China International Capital Corp, which are arranging the listing, would need to sell only 20.1 per cent of the carrier to the public.

Backing up Air China's optimism, Cathay chief executive David Turnbull said buying a stake in the national carrier was just a start to gain greater mainland access.

"Our aim clearly is to make it a much deeper and bigger relationship - this is just the start here," Mr Turnbull said. "We want to make it a very strong Cathay-Air China relationship. You don't just buy 10 per cent of a company and then sit there and that's it. You want to do more in terms of product and staff and management and route networks and code share."

He said Cathay's aim was to make Hong Kong the entry point to the mainland while Air China's aim was to make it the premier carrier in the mainland and also into and out of the country.

Cathay's director of corporate development Tony Tyler did not rule out the possibility of pursuing further traffic rights and working with other mainland airlines.

"This is an investment and getting additional traffic rights is a totally separate issue," he said at a lunch meeting yesterday.

"We will continue to work with all mainland carriers as we have been in the past {hellip} but clearly we are looking forward to developing our close relationship with Air China, otherwise we wouldn't have been going ahead with this particular investment."

Mr Tyler also said airline profits were slipping away as they were suffering from the soaring oil prices. "When the cost goes up, profit goes down," he said. "We just hope that the oil prices will alleviate some time very soon. But we have to wait and see what happens."

He added it was unlikely prices would ever return to US$25 a barrel, probably remaining at $35 to $40 if they did come down.

Wednesday October 27, 10:15 AM
HK PRESS: Cathay Seeks Extension Of Fuel Surcharge

HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Hong Kong's de-facto flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (0293.HK) plans to apply to the Civil Aviation Department to extend fuel surcharges on passengers beyond Nov. 30 because of higher oil prices, the Hong Kong Economic Journal reports.

The paper cites Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen as saying the surcharge would only cover a small part of the increase in fuel costs.

In Hong Kong, airlines follow a system approved by the Civil Aviation Department to add or reduce fuel surcharges on cargo, which only requires them to formally notify the department of any changes.

However, if any airline intends to implement fuel surcharges on passenger flights, they are required to individually secure the department's approval.

28 October 2004
Cathay Pacific transports Chinese tiger cubs to ‘rewilding’ camp

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced it is to transport a second pair of endangered Chinese Tigers from China to South Africa in support of the Save China’s Tigers conservation programme.

The cubs, seven-month-old Tiger Woods and six-month-old Madonna, were born in Shanghai Zoo. They were named in a competition judged by Save China’s Tigers patron Michelle Yeoh and other celebrities.

The tigers will be transported to South Africa on 29 October in order to be taught how to fend for themselves in the wild before being returned to their natural habitat in China.

Cathay Pacific transported the first pair of cubs, Cathay and Hope, to South Africa last year, and they are now making progress in Save China’s Tigers “rewilding” programme. In all, the airline hopes to transport 5 to 10 cubs.

Cathay Pacific Country Manager Southern Africa and Indian Ocean, Dominic Perret said: "As the namesake of Cathay, we are proud to continue our support for Save China's Tigers work to secure such a beautiful big cat's survival. We wish them the best of luck."

Cathay Pacific has a comprehensive environmental policy that integrates business decision-making processes with environmental considerations. As well as the Save China’s Tigers programme, the airline has for the past 10 years sponsored the annual Cathay Pacific International Wilderness Experience Programme in which young people from Asia to join a special ecological safari in South Africa.

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01 November 2004
Cathay Pacific celebrates seniors’ day with 50 percent discount

Cathay Pacific today announced a special offer to make this year’s Senior Citizens' Day a day to remember.

Cathay Pacific is offering a 50 percent discount to people aged 65 or over on Economy Class fares to selected destinations. For seniors who wish to travel with an adult companion aged below 65, their companion will enjoy a 20 percent discount too. Senior Citizens' Day is on 21 November.

These special tickets must be booked from 1-10 November 2004 and travel must be completed between 1 November 2004 and 31 January 2005. The offer is valid for Cathay Pacific-operated flights originating from Hong Kong. Asia Miles accrual is subject to individual fare type eligibility.

Destinations included in the offer are: Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Manila, Cebu, Jakarta, Denpasar, Surabaya, Colombo, Mumbai, Delhi, Karachi, Taipei and Sydney.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Sales Hong Kong and China Clement Lam said: ‘As Hong Kong’s airline, we encourage Hong Kong people to experience the world and share with their loved ones. Our parents took care of us when we were young. Now, with special Cathay Pacific tickets to mark Senior Citizens’ Day, there’s a chance for us to show our appreciation with a special family gift.”

02 November 2004
Cathay Pacific Corporate Press Release

Cathay Pacific COO Philip Chen says fuel the “Crisis of the Year” facing airline industry

Cathay Pacific Airways Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen addressed unprecedented challenges facing the world’s aviation industry at an annual meeting of heads of government aviation authorities.

Speaking last night in Hong Kong at the Cathay Pacific-sponsored opening dinner of the 41st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation Asia and Pacific Regions, Mr Chen said that the rising price of fuel is “the Crisis of the Year” facing the industry.

“Aviation is a central pillar of the global economy and thus the industry is very much exposed to external crises and shocks. After 9/11, SARS and war in the Middle East, the price of fuel is the Crisis of the Year,” Mr Chen said.

“Airlines are doing what they can to reduce consumption. But we could do better with closer co-operation and better communication with Air Traffic Service Providers and Airport Operators. Straightening routes, enhancing air traffic control procedures to allow aircraft to operate closer to optimum levels and improving airport operations procedures are just three measures that could generate tremendous savings.”

Mr Chen highlighted the concern felt by all airlines that commercial insurers may introduce new War Risk exclusion clauses.

“Whilst airlines are very keen to do whatever we can, it is obvious that airlines should not be bearing all the burdens and costs. The airlines are victims too, and such security and safety challenges must be faced squarely by all the countries together,” Mr Chen said. “With that of course is the insurance question and we cannot expect the airline industry to face that alone.”

The conference, hosted by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department from November 1 to 5, has 170 delegates from 38 states/territories including the People’s Republic of China, United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and the Macau Special Administrative Region have come to Hong Kong to participate.

The conference was last hosted in Hong Kong in 1962. Cathay Pacific Airways has given its backing to the event and sponsored the opening formal dinner.

Financial Times
November 2, 2004 Tuesday

BA links e-ticketing with Cathay Pacific
By ROGER BRAY

British Airways has harmonised its electronic ticketing system with that of its Oneworld alliance partner Cathay Pacific.

The move means that its customers can make bookings on flights involving any of the alliance's members or switch bookings from BA to those carriers without the need to pick up a paper ticket. Other carriers in the group are Iberia, Chile's LAN, Finnair and Aer Lingus.

Oneworld says such e-ticket harmonisation now covers 90 per cent of its members' passengers and that it is on track to fill in the remaining gaps by the start of next year.

04 November 2004
Corporate Press Release

Cathay Pacific Adds Daily Beijing service

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that it will launch a daily flight to Beijing from 1 December 2004, in a further step to strengthen Hong Kong as a gateway to the Mainland almost a year to the day after the airline resumed services to the capital.

Cathay Pacific resumed services to Beijing with three weekly flights on 2 December 2003 after a break of 13 years. Four additional weekly flights will offer passengers more options to connect with the airline’s international services through Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific figures for the first nine months of the Beijing flight’s operation show that, even with only three weekly services, more than 40 percent of Beijing passengers made direct Cathay Pacific connections to over 30 cities in the airline’s international network.

The largest proportion connected with flights to and from Auckland, Bangkok, Jakarta, Los Angeles, London, Melbourne, Manila, Singapore, Sydney and Taipei, because certain flights to and from these cities had close connection times with Cathay Pacific’s current Beijing service. More than one-third more international passengers connected with the flight heading to rather than from Beijing because connection times were more convenient.

Other passengers flew to and from points on the airline’s network in Southeast and North Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and Canada.

Cathay Pacific has been granted rights to operate a second daily service to Beijing from the start of the Summer 2005 season. If Cathay Pacific were able to operate that service at a different time of the day that would create wider opportunities for the airline to draw more connecting passengers over Hong Kong.

As of December 2004, four airlines, including Cathay Pacific, will operate 112 weekly services from Hong Kong to Beijing. According to latest Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department figures, from December 2003 through May 2004, about 110,000 passengers travelled from Hong Kong to Beijing and back every month.

Cathay Pacific Manager Beijing K K Leung said: “Ever since our Beijing service started last December, passengers have been asking for more flights on the route. They say the more daily flights we offer, the more convenience they will have for travel between Beijing and Hong Kong and to connect to CX flights to the rest of the world. We are glad that we are going daily yet this is still a basic service for this travel market.”

Cathay Pacific has also been allocated rights upon designation to operate three weekly passenger services to Xiamen and 12 weekly freighter services to Shanghai and will launch services early in 2005, subject to operational requirements. The airline was last year licensed to operate three daily services to both Beijing and Shanghai and three weekly services to Xiamen.

November Specials from the USA

http://www.cathay-usa.com/dotm/images/dotm_home_A.jpg

From: Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York (JFK).

To: Hong Kong

Fare: $663* from Los Angeles and San Francisco or $713* from New York (JFK) for transpacific Economy Class roundtrip flights any day of the week (plus taxes).

Ticketing: Via electronic ticket (e-ticket) only.

Available for Purchase: November 1, 2004 through November 30, 2004 (or until deemed sold out).


Travel Dates: Valid for travel between February 12, 2005 and March 31, 2005. Travel must be completed by March 31, 2005.

Min/Max Stay: No minimum stay. Maximum stay 30 days.

Details: The Deal of the Month fare is not eligible for AAdvantage® frequent flyer mileage credit. A $75 change fee applies per change/per person. A $200 cancellation fee applies per person before departure, non-refundable after departure. Not combinable with any other fare, offer or frequent flyer upgrade. Seats are limited. Travel must originate in the U.S. and must include Hong Kong (HKG) in the itinerary. If you do not live in one of the designated gateway cities (LAX, SFO or JFK), you must make your own travel arrangements to get to/from those gateway cities. Purchase must be made by a U.S. resident with a valid U.S. mailing address and a valid U.S. credit card billing address.

Cathay flight diverted after man collapses
Simon Parry
7 November 2004
South China Morning Post

A Cathay Pacific flight to South Africa was forced to make an emergency landing in the Maldives when a 44-year-old passenger suffered a fatal heart attack.

The Airbus A340-300 was flying over the Indian Ocean on its way to Johannesburg on October 29 when the passenger, a South African, collapsed and fell unconscious as he returned to his seat after going to the toilet.

A nurse on board helped cabin crew give the man first aid, and the pilot - who was unable to establish a satellite link with the medical service Cathay uses - decided to touch down at the nearest airport.

Doctors met the aircraft and rushed the patient to hospital. He was certified dead shortly afterwards. The plane later resumed its 12-hour flight to Johannesburg, arriving about four hours behind schedule.

A Cathay Pacific spokeswoman said the passenger, who was travelling in economy class, had earlier complained of feeling unwell.

"Our crew members offered relief assistance and one of the passengers who was a nurse also attended to him," she said.

"He felt better and went to sleep. Later, our crew members found him collapsed and unconscious upon his return from the washroom."

The spokeswoman added: "We regret the unfortunate incident despite assistance rendered by our crew and passengers on board, and the medical professionals at the Maldives.

"Cathay Pacific expresses its condolences and has assisted the immediate family with the repatriation arrangements."

Pilots on board all Cathay planes are normally able to get instant advice from a team of medical professionals on what treatment to give and where and whether to land via Medlink, a US-based tele-medicine service.

Cathay is one of the few Asian airlines to subscribe to the service.

However, the 24-hour service - which enables three-way conversations between pilots, Hong Kong controllers and US-based specialist doctors - depends on a satellite link.

On Flight CX749 to Johannesburg, the emergency arose when the plane was in an area where, because of atmospheric conditions or the positioning of satellites, the pilots were unable to get through.

"It's like a mobile phone connection," said one pilot familiar with the system. "It works 90 per cent of the time but sometimes you'll be somewhere where you just can't get a signal.

"It's always the captain's final responsibility as to if and where to divert, bearing in mind things like weather.

"But once Medlink take over the case and we follow their advice, they pick up the tab for legal care and any legal liability. It's generally an excellent system."

The pilot said Medlink, run by Arizona-based MedAire, was popular with cockpit crews and was likely to be used by more and more airlines as the chances of passengers falling sick or dying on board increased.

"With bigger planes carrying more passengers and flying ever-greater distances, this kind of incident is going to become increasingly common," he said.

Currently, unofficial estimates of how many people die on board planes range from 300 to 1,000 a year. Most are only confirmed dead when they reach a hospital.

In 1998, Hong Kong-bound passengers complained when a heart-attack victim was left dead in his seat for three hours on an Emirates flight from Dubai via Manila.

China Eastern Seeks Investors To Strengthen Airline's Position

By Bruce Stanley
8 November 2004
The Asian Wall Street Journal

SHANGHAI -- China Eastern Airlines, one of China's three largest carriers, expressed surprise at the planned investment by onetime ally Cathay Pacific Airways in a Beijing-based rival and said it hoped to find a strategic investor of its own.

Li Fenghua, who became China Eastern's chairman last month, acknowledged Friday that his company needed to improve the quality of its service and the punctuality of its flights. He said the right foreign investor could help transform it into a stronger competitor.

"I'm not satisfied with the current situation," Mr. Li said. "It's my own wish to seek overseas investors as well as outstanding Chinese companies that could involve themselves in the management of China Eastern."

China Eastern emerged as one of China's biggest airlines, in number of passengers carried, after the government restructured the country's aviation industry last year by consolidating several smaller carriers into a trio of dominant players. Based in Shanghai, China Eastern splits its business about evenly between overseas and domestic routes. Its main rivals are China Southern Airlines, based in the southern city of Guangzhou, and Air China, headquartered in Beijing.

Until recently, China Eastern had a close relationship with Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific, which helped to train some of its managers and employees through personnel exchanges. Relations between the two cooled after China Eastern withheld support for Cathay's efforts to win Beijing's approval for flights on the profitable route between Hong Kong and Shanghai. Cathay embarked on a new partnership last month when it announced plans to buy a 9.9% stake in Air China once China's flagship carrier has an initial public offering later this year or in early 2005.

Cathay's planned investment in Air China "was a little bit unexpected," said Mr. Li, who is also president of his airline's holding company, China Eastern Air Holding Co. "But I can understand the ambition and emotion of Cathay Pacific to involve itself in the Chinese market."

Although China Eastern and Air China serve different regional markets within China, Mr. Li acknowledged that "there could be some threat" from an Air China invigorated by Cathay's financial strength and management expertise.

China Eastern had a 21% increase in domestic-passenger traffic in 2003 and forecasts a 15% rise for this year. With the domestic market going strong, Mr. Li believes foreign airlines might offer his company attractive terms to gain a foothold in Shanghai. He declined to name a preferred investor, but the secretary of China Eastern's board, Luo Zhuping, suggested that candidates might include Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways.

As for joining a global airline alliance, the matter has been complicated by Cathay Pacific's pact with Air China, Mr. Luo said. For example, American Airlines, with which China Eastern has a code-sharing arrangement, belongs to the oneworld alliance -- but so does Cathay. That makes it harder for China Eastern to parlay its partnership with American into membership in a group that includes its powerful new rival.

Given such knots and stiff competition on flights from Shanghai to Los Angeles and some other overseas destinations, the carrier right now is focusing on growing inside China. China Eastern says it aims to boost its share of flights in and out of Shanghai to 40% from about 35%.

10 November 2004
Cathay Pacific voted Best Business Class Cellar and First Class Most Original Wine List

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“Best First Class White Wine” - Vincent Girardin Meursault Vieilles Vignes 2001

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“Best Business Class Fortified or Sweet Wine” - Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 1997

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Best Business Class Cellar

Cathay Pacific Airways’ talent in selecting the finest wines to serve inflight has been recognised again with it being named the winner in the Cellar in the Sky 2004 wine awards run by Business Traveller and Wine International.

Cathay Pacific won awards for “Best Business Class Cellar” and “First Class Most Original Wine List”. Its Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 1997 and Vincent Girardin Meursault Vieilles Vignes 2001 also won ‘Best Business Class Fortified or Sweet Wine” and “Best First Class White Wine” award respectively.

What gives Cathay Pacific a good nose for wine? First, it understands that successful selection of the wines to be served on board is not just a matter of reading the latest reviews and counting the medals. Tasting is extremely important because wines do taste different in the air due to the drier cabin air and the effects of air conditioning.

The airline has learned the specific characteristics that can help them to select wines. For instance, on board aircraft aromas tend to be reduced, and the tannin and bitterer flavor components are often more pronounced, so good characteristics for flying wines are a big fruit flavor, with mild tannins and a balanced acidity. The quality of the wines served on Cathay Pacific has already been widely recognised in the industry.

The latest Business Traveller and Wine International awards were the result of two days of tasting by a team of Wine International experts. Over 30 airlines competed in different categories for wines served in their first and business class.

Cathay Pacific offers a superior selection of champagne, red, white and dessert wines in its First and Business Class. All are specially selected by the airline’s experts not only to match the wide variety of inflight cuisine but also to suit the palates of passenger from different countries. Cathay Pacific serves more than 1 million bottles of wine and champagne every year from France, Italy, South Africa, Australia, the United States and New Zealand.

Cathay Pacific’s General Manager Inflight Services Peter Langslow said: “We are delighted to receive such significant awards. It is testament to our commitment in providing the very best products to all our customers and the expertise demonstrated by our staff.”

Cathay Pacific was recently voted “Best North Asian Airline” and “Best Airline Business Class” in this year’s TTG Asia Travel Awards. In this year’s 16th annual Robb Report awards for top luxury brands, Cathay Pacific was the world’s only airline rated “Best of the Best”. Cathay Pacific was cited for its ability to provide First Class travellers with “spacious sleeper seats, scrumptious menu selections, world class lounges, and first rate hospitality”.

Cathay Pacific made an emergency landing at Los Angeles Int. Airport (LAX) last night because of an engine fire, it landed safely and nobody was hurt. The plane was on its way to Hong Kong.

the video can be viewed here:

http://ktla.trb.com/news/local/feedroom/?track=mm

Cathay's Oct passenger traffic up 14.7 pct y/r

HONG KONG, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's main carrier, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd , said on Thursday it carried 14.7 percent more passengers in October from a year ago, but margins were squeezed by high fuel prices.

The airline said it carried 1.17 million passengers in October, up from 1.09 million passengers in September.

"October was a strong month in terms of passenger numbers and revenue, with First and Business Class cabins on average almost two-thirds full," Ian Shiu, Cathay's general manager revenue management, sales & distribution said in a statement.

"Yet margins were squeezed as jet fuel prices peaked in October."

October's passenger load factor edged higher to 77.6 percent, from 75.2 percent the previous month.

The airline carried 90,533 tonnes of cargo in October, up from 83,687 tonnes in September.

Engine fire forces Cathay Pacific jet to return to Los Angeles
Wednesday, November 10, 2004

(11-10) 12:18 PST LOS ANGELES (AP) --

A Cathay Pacific airliner carrying 324 passengers to Hong Kong safely returned to Los Angeles International Airport early Wednesday after an engine caught fire, officials said.

The four-engine Boeing 747 landed shortly after midnight, about 30 minutes after it took off, airport spokeswoman Nancy Castles said.

A maintenance worker and several other witnesses reported seeing sparks or flames in the plane's No. 4 engine as it was taking off, said Diana Joubert, an operations officer for the Federal Aviation Administration.

At the same time, the pilot notified air traffic controllers of the problem and asked for permission to return, Castles said.

"The pilot then spent the next half hour dumping fuel over the ocean," she said, adding that it was standard aviation procedure before a jetliner makes an emergency landing.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, said Frances Horner, a spokeswoman for the Hong Kong-based airline. Cathay Pacific was also working to place passengers on other flights to Hong Kong.

By Ball_Tang from HKADB :

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CX Specials from North America

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From: Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York (JFK).
To: Hong Kong

Fare: $663* from Los Angeles and San Francisco or $713* from New York (JFK) for transpacific Economy Class roundtrip flights any day of the week (plus taxes).

Ticketing: Via electronic ticket (e-ticket) only.

Available for Purchase: November 1, 2004 through November 30, 2004 (or until deemed sold out).

Travel Dates: Valid for travel between February 12, 2005 and March 31, 2005. Travel must be completed by March 31, 2005.

Min/Max Stay: No minimum stay. Maximum stay 30 days.



http://www.cathay.ca/images/AsiaMiles_fall_offer_home.jpg

Just fly Cathay Pacific round-trip from September 15, 2004 through November 30, 2004, inclusive, for travel between Vancouver or Toronto and Hong Kong and watch your miles add up fast. In fact, you can accumulate 40,000 Bonus Asia Miles after just two qualifying round-trips in First or Business Class, or 13,000 Bonus Asia Miles after just two qualifying round-trips in Economy Class.

New Asia Miles members who join Asia Miles and participate in the promotion by registering online and flying at least one eligible round-trip within the promotion period will earn a one-time joining bonus of 6,000 Asia Miles in addition to the Bonus Asia Miles earned.

A challenge to open skies in Asia?
Competitors see trouble in Cathay plans for Air China stake
Keith Bradsher
The New York Times
22 October 2004

Cathay Pacific Airways' pact to buy a stake in Air China has highlighted a struggle across east Asia, and especially in Hong Kong and mainland China, over how vigorously airlines should be allowed to compete with each other on international routes.

At stake is the world's fastest-growing regional aviation market, with China at its core. The fight over market access has drawn not only airlines but investment bankers seeking deals and consultants, lawyers and lobbyists seeking contracts.

At the heart of the debate lies Hong Kong, home to Asia's biggest airport for international passenger traffic and the world's biggest hub for international air cargo shipments. Many of the arguments here echo those at hubs dominated by a single carrier in the United States.

Cathay Pacific is the biggest carrier here, and has opposed allowing other carriers, especially American and Australian airlines, greater rights to fly through Hong Kong and pick up passengers to carry to other Asian destinations. At the same time, however, Cathay and the Hong Kong government have been pressing Beijing to allow more flights between Hong Kong and mainland Chinese cities.

The most immediate question now is whether Cathay's planned 9.9 percent stake in state-owned Air China will help soften objections from Beijing to allowing more Cathay flights to the mainland. Beijing has strictly limited the number of these flights while trying to prepare its domestic carriers for international competition, although it raised the ceiling somewhat last month and has allowed more nonstop flights lately from the United States.

Antony Tyler, who oversees Cathay's route negotiations as its director of corporate development, said at a forum on Thursday that Wednesday's Air China deal made sense even leaving aside access to the Chinese market. "This is an investment, and getting additional traffic rights into China is a totally separate issue," he said.

But Tyler also voiced earlier in the forum Cathay's continued desire to offer flights from Hong Kong to Shanghai. DragonAir, a carrier in which the Chinese government is the biggest stakeholder, conducts a thriving business on the route. Cathay owns a sixth of the shares of DragonAir. Hong Kong has moved steadily to allow more flights from other countries, sometimes over Cathay's objections, but not fast enough to suit FedEx Express, which is now in talks to open an Asian hub 130 kilometers, or 80 miles, up the Pearl River in Guangzhou instead. It has been strongly critical of Cathay.

"When you look at Hong Kong, Hong Kong is a market of monopolies and duopolies," said David Cunningham, the president of Asian and Pacific operations for FedEx. "My concern for Hong Kong is that, living here and loving it, the world has moved beyond that."

Cathay Pacific carries a third of the passengers passing through Hong Kong; holds its minority stake in DragonAir, which has another tenth of the market; and is now moving to invest in Air China, with another several percentage points of the traffic here.

Limits on competition have tended to mean high prices but also superb service. Cathay's numerous and fast-moving flight attendants manage to serve every economy-class passenger a hot meal even during 80-minute flights aboard packed jumbo jets to Taipei.

Tyler acknowledged that air fares here are somewhat higher than in other markets, but attributed this to historical factors, notably differences in exchange rates. He insisted that Hong Kong was a competitive market, adding that DragonAir and Cathay compete not only with each other but with at least one other carrier on every route.

Last year's lethal outbreak here of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, underlined the value to Hong Kong of having a locally based carrier, because other airlines were quick to suspend service here while Cathay kept flying, Tyler said. "We kept Hong Kong connected to the world," he said.

In a gibe at the United States, which has sought greater access for its carriers here over the years, Sandra Lee, Hong Kong's permanent secretary for economic development, said that Hong Kong's policies did not include giving soft loans to airlines or allowing airlines to take refuge from creditors in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

As in Europe, decades of nationalistic policies in Asia aimed at protecting flag carriers from foreign competition are gradually being dismantled. Limits on the number of international flights between any two cities are being raised and, in some cases, eliminated.

Together with the arrival of budget carriers like Air Asia of Malaysia and Virgin Blue of Australia, the new freedom to compete is forcing established airlines to control costs and, in some cases, reduce fares.

Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand have led the trend toward open skies, drawing more passengers through their airports as a result, sometimes at the expense of Hong Kong.

"If I were Lufthansa and United, which have clearly courted Air China, I'm sure I'd think, 'what is this all going to amount to?'" Tyler said.

14 November 2004
Cathay Pacific reintroduces "World Pass” offer to Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific Airways today reintroduced its popular World Pass packages that offer Hong Kong travellers multiple trips at special prices to more than 30 cities throughout the region and around the world.

This year’s “Cathay Pacific World Pass” provides the option of either one long-haul and one short-haul or two long-haul and one short-haul flight. Packages are available for travel in both Business and Economy Class and an upgrade from Business to First Class is available for an additional fee.

Long-haul destinations: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns, Auckland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York*, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Rome, Johannesburg.

Short-haul destinations: Taipei, Bangkok, Cebu, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore, Denpasar, Jakarta, Surabaya, Colombo, Bahrain*, Dubai*, Riyadh*, Mumbai, Delhi, Karachi.

These special tickets will be on sale between 15 November and 26 November2004 and travel must be completed by 15 July 2005. The same city can be visited more than once. All flights must originate in Hong Kong.

Asia Miles accrual and other terms and conditions apply. For details, please contact your travel agent or call Cathay Pacific Airways on 2747 1577 or visit our web site at www.cathaypacific.com.hk

Cathay Pacific Airways General Manager Sales Hong Kong and China Clement Lam said: “As Hong Kong’s airline, we encourage Hong Kong people to see beyond our home and experience the different cultures of the world. The Cathay Pacific World Pass offers both great value and a great opportunity to explore different parts of the world.”

"Cathay Pacific World Pass 2004" Packages:
1 Long-haul + 1 Short-haul (Round-trip Ticket)
Economy Class HK$8,380
Business Class HK$30,980
2 Long-haul + 1 Short-haul(Round-trip Ticket)
Economy Class HK$12,680
Business Class HK$53,980

*Add HK$1,000 for Economy Class, or HK$3,000 for Business Class

Wednesday November 17, 4:45 PM
HK's Cathay Pacific Asks Philippine Govt To OK Fare Hike

MANILA (Dow Jones)--Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (0293.HK) has sought approval to further raise its fuel surcharge on flights originating in the Philippines.

In papers that Cathay Pacific filed with the Philippines' Civil Aeronautics Board, whose contents were relayed to reporters by a CAB official Wednesday, the Hong Kong airline sought approval for the imposition of an additional $8 surcharge on long-haul flights and $2.20 for regional destinations to cope with rising cost of fuel.

If approved, this will be the third increase this year in Cathay Pacific's fuel surcharge. CAB last month allowed the airline to raise its surcharge to $19 from $14 on long-haul flights and to $7 from $5 for shorter routes.

Other international carriers such as Northwest Airlines Corp. (NWAC), Singapore Airlines Ltd. (S55.SG), and Eva Airways Corp. (2618.TW) have also sought increases in their fuel surcharges.

18 November 2004
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific unveils new crew uniform

Cathay Pacific Airways today unveiled its new-look uniform created by celebrity Hong Kong designer Eddie Lau, which will debut on the airline next Spring.

Lau’s refresh of his original 1999 design, currently worn by Cathay Pacific staff and crew, has a more modern edge in reflection of changing fashions and times. Slimmer cut, the uniforms offer a younger look and are more practical.

Most of the changes are subtle yet the fabric and new cut will produce a sharper silhouette. Uniform colours for various ranks will not change, but yellow will stand out as a signature colour element common across all ranks.

Major modifications for female uniforms include a shorter jacket with vents and the skirt a little longer with cut to just above the knee. The standard white blouse will be simpler with the company’s signature brush wing pattern paired down from five to two colours – yellow and red.

The female Inflight Service Managers, Airport Service Managers and Manager on Duty uniform will move to a three-piece blouse, jacket and skirt instead of the one-piece dress and long jacket allowing an easier movement.

For male uniforms, the waistcoat will acquire lapels and the trousers will be cut slimmer with just two, rather than three, pleats at the front. New ties will be simplified into plain grey, purple, blue or burgundy according to rank.

Cathay Pacific’s Director Service Delivery Quince Chong said, “Cathay Pacific is committed to continuous improvement, and in these years we keep enhancing our products and services on the ground and in the air. It is our aim to ensure that we always look our best to the passengers.”

Says Eddie Lau: “When Cathay Pacific approached me in February this year to do the refresh, I looked back at all the collections I did before and took different elements from each. The overall aim was to come up with something less complicated, fresher with a younger look, and better reflects the changing profile of the crew community. ”

The airlines’ frontline staff in Hong Kong and flight attendants will appear in the new uniforms from March next year and be adopted by all airport staff overseas by June 2005.

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Hong Kong celebrity fashion designer Eddie Lau and Cathay Pacific’s Director Service Delivery Quince Chong together with the cabin crew in the new-look uniform.

Sexy but subtle - Cathay's staff join the style-high club
Nick Gentle
19 November 2004
South China Morning Post

Cathay Pacific customers can look forward to staff and air crew donning a more "sexy but subtle" version of their uniform next year.

The new look, unveiled yesterday, is intended to give a more modern edge to the existing uniform, created in 1999 by celebrity designer Eddie Lau Pui-kei.

Lau, better known for his work with late pop diva Anita Mui Yim-fong, is also behind the updated look, which he said simplified the existing uniforms while giving staff a fresher, younger appearance.

It is the first time the airline has refined rather than redesigned an existing uniform for its 8,000 cabin and ground staff.

"Simplicity was number one," Lau said. "But we also wanted to give the uniform a better silhouette - sexy but subtle."

The updated uniforms feature longer skirts and shorter, vented jackets for women, and slimmer trousers, lapelled waistcoats and single-colour ties for men.

Blouses will move from having Cathay's signature brushed wing patterned in five colours to just two: red and yellow, a choice Lau says is not a nod to the colours of China but more accurately reflects the airline's role as a modern Asian carrier.

Cathay grooming counsellor Iris Lim said uniform styles generally lasted eight to 10 years.

Plane passengers' 20ft fireball terror
By Bo Wilson and Victoria Fletcher, Evening Standard
19 November 2004

Passengers today told how they feared they were going to die when an engine on their aircraft burst into a huge ball of flame.

The Cathay Pacific flight from Heathrow to Hong Kong turned round four hours into the flight and landed back in London today.

Passenger Dr Robin Singh, who was overlooking the wing, said: "It was a 20ft ball of flame. The wing caught fire and then it was coming towards the window.

"People started screaming. As it was reaching the window I thought, 'This is it'. I thought it was going to engulf the plane." But by the time flight CX250, with 322 passengers, touched down, the flames had subsided.

The passengers were put up in an hotel, where they were today awaiting replacement flights. They had been told the plane was being rerouted, but were amazed when it did not head for the nearest airport.

Confirming one of its engines had been in trouble, a Cathay Pacific spokesman said: "There were three working engines and at no time were the passengers or staff in danger."

Dr Singh, of the University of Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth, said: "We were flying over Russia, but they said we were going back to London, four hours away. They said it was because the service centre was there."

Jackie Thatcher, and her friend Maureen Weston, from Bath, were travelling to Melbourne. Mrs Thatcher said: "As we came into land, we saw blue sparks coming from under the wing. The engine the captain had shut off earlier had been a different one."

Miss Weston said she first noticed a problem when the plane began to shake violently. "The plane felt very hot, then all of a sudden it shook three times - swaying to the left and right," she said. "I thought I smelt smoke."

Kevin Clark, a businessman returning to Hong Kong after a meeting in Paris, said: "Just after we came into land the captain said the engine was popping and rumbling."

A Dutch passenger who was sitting in the left-hand side of the plane said he saw huge flames jump from the engine. "The sky outside was dark and they stretched right out behind the plane," he said.

"But after a minute they had gone."

South China Morning Post
November 20, 2004
Cathay offers wings to dreamers Young people with a passion for flying have the chance to win a cadetship with the airline

MOST PEOPLE dream of being a pilot. Unfortunately, in the real world, this is not possible and most of us have to settle for second-best - being a passenger on a plane.

But some are fortunate to be a pilot and for a lucky few in Hong Kong this opportunity is possible through Cathay Pacific's cadet pilot programme.

Established in 1988, the programme is part of the company's ongoing commitment to Hong Kong. In this case, the commitment takes the form of providing an opportunity for local people to train to become pilots. This previously was not possible.

The 60-week stint is held at a flight training school in Adelaide, Australia, renowned for its good flying conditions year-round. Cathay works in partnership with the school and is the sponsor for each of its cadets, which includes the cost of the course, accommodation, meals and the provision of a small allowance.

Once the training is successfully completed the trainee receives a commercial pilot's licence, which is necessary for a cadet to be part of the piloting crew with Cathay. They begin their career with Cathay as a second officer.

The programme has several stages broken into two core elements - ground and flying.

The first week consists of cadets going through outbound training for team building purposes.

This is followed by a month of ground training where they learn the theory behind the basic principles of flying.

Weeks six to 25 consist of alternate days of ground training and flying - the former involving learning and preparation for the Hong Kong pilot's exam and the latter including the first solo flight in a single-engine aircraft and other general flying exercises needed to obtain a pilot's licence.

Gabriel Mok, a second officer, who completed his cadetship in May, said: "There were so many flying skills to acquire and so much knowledge to absorb within a limited time-frame. There were certainly challenging days in Adelaide."

To pass the two-day Hong Kong commercial licence exam, trainees also undergo a two-week practical study on the ground.

The real fun then starts as the next 17 weeks are all about flying, covering navigation, flying on instruments and visuals and other specialised flying techniques.

During this time the required flying hours are clocked up to obtain the licence; the base is 160 hours, but most cadets require 200 or more.

There are two practical exams, one on instruments and the other on twin-engine piloting, and several in-house exams to judge a cadet's overall progress on a practical and theoretical level.

"The ground school provided me with aviation knowledge on a very comprehensive level, including navigation, flight planning, engineering, law and much more," Mr Mok said.

"In my case, during the flight training element I acquired 220 hours of flying time with four aircraft types and two flight simulators."

The last five weeks include simulator training and Cathay's tailor-made element to familiarise the cadet with flying a commercial aircraft and Cathay's standard operating procedures, which are unique to the airline.

To date, 270 cadets have passed and have been offered a position with Cathay.

Of these, 85 per cent remained with the airline, Peggy Chung, assistant manager, flight crew recruitment (cadet pilot), said. Because the programme costs the company about $ 1 million per cadet it is very strict in selecting candidates and would rather select fewer than targeted than fill projections with unsuitable candidates.

"It is a quality-driven recruitment process. We target 36 cadets a year from 2,000 applications, but last year we selected only 22," Ms Chung said.

The company aims to send three groups of cadets to Australia each year.

"If you have an interest in becoming a pilot with Cathay ... make sure you have a real interest in flying. Getting up to fly at 3am takes passion," Ms Chung said.

The selection process is rigorous and involves several rounds of interviews and a series of tests - aptitude, reasoning, numeric, language, and computer skills.

Candidates who perform well in interview and test stages are sent to Adelaide for a two-week flight grading.

A final selection grading is made and successful candidates are offered a place on the cadet pilot programme.

Mr Mok said: "I think I was selected for my motivation and determination to succeed - I spent a lot of time on preparation before tasks and on evaluation afterwards - and for my passion to fly. I love the freedom of manoeuvring the aircraft.

"Working as a pilot is a very rewarding experience with great career prospects and job satisfaction.

"The dynamic life of a pilot provides me with world perspectives and I encourage anyone who is passionate about aviation to take this golden opportunity to become a cadet pilot."

New Commercials
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Commercial 1 (http://nwthk1.speedcast.com/omni2/Tetsuos/mccann/cathay/tvc/kisskiss_45asian.wmv)

Commercial 2 (http://nwthk1.speedcast.com/omni2/Tetsuos/mccann/cathay/tvc/divorce_45asian.wmv)

19 November 2004
Corporate Press Release

CAAC and Cathay Pacific sign letter of intent for co-operation on senior management training

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and Cathay Pacific Airways signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) in Beijing today for co-operation in senior management training. The ceremony also marked the 10th anniversary of a training programme for middle management jointly run by the two organisations.

Officiating at the LOI signing ceremony were Ren Ying Li, CAAC Vice Director General of Personnel & Education Department; and William Chau, Director Personnel at Cathay Pacific. Also present were Gao Hong Feng, Vice Minister of CAAC; Pu Zhao Zhou, Director-General of the Office of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs; Tian Bao Hua, President of the Civil Aviation Management Institute of China (CAMIC); Philip Chen, Director & Chief Operating Officer of Cathay Pacific; and Raymond Yuen, a Director of Cathay Pacific.

The new training agreement will see Cathay Pacific organise a series of lectures, seminars, discussions, exchanges and visits for CAAC senior managers and department heads to further strengthen their understanding of the development of the aviation industry. The airline will also organise workshops for senior CAAC management members each year, while its own senior managers will participate in management workshops organised by CAMIC.

The new agreement builds on the relationship developed between Cathay Pacific and CAAC since the establishment of the training programme for middle management in 1994. The training for senior managers aligns with the increasing demand for civil aviation management professionals and will facilitate an exchange of knowledge and experience that will help enhance each organisation's international competitiveness.

Cathay Pacific Director & Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: "A strong aviation hub will continue to drive the economic, financial, travel and cultural development of a city.

We have been witnessing the rapid development of the aviation industry in the Mainland, and the aggregate traffic volumes of the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau indicate that the area will become a phenomenal force in international aviation in years to come. Given the continued robust growth of its economy, the prospects for the Mainland's aviation industry are very promising."

In addition to signing the LOI, both parties also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the "Middle Management Training Programme" with the participation of dozens of past graduates. Each year, CAAC nominates a number of middle-management candidates from its subsidiary airlines and organisations to participate in the training programme. They are seconded to a five-month hands-on training programme at Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong, with no more than eight trainees at any one time to ensure quality training.

The programme has been instrumental in enhancing the mutual understanding and cooperation between Mainland airlines and Cathay Pacific. While Mainland trainees have been able to develop their knowledge of the operating procedures, products and strategy of an international airline, at the same time Cathay Pacific managers have been able to gain a better understanding of Mainland carriers.

Over the past decade 58 trainees have been seconded to Cathay Pacific from CAAC, the North China Regional Administration and East China Regional Administration of CAAC, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, China Northern Airlines, China Xinjiang Airlines, China Yunnan Airlines, CNAC Zhejiang Airlines, China Southwest Airlines, China Northwest Airlines and the Civil Aviation University of China.

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All Asia Pass
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More information : http://www.cathay.ca/offers/aap/offer.asp

The Deal of a Lifetime
Think of it - you could visit magnificent Hong Kong, tropical Bali or Cebu, tradition-rich Bangkok, ultra-modern Singapore, or fascinating Malaysia - these and many other destinations are all yours for one low price. The basic All Asia Pass is priced at an amazing USD $1,199 / CAD $1,899. Adults 55 and over, students and children are eligible for a USD $100 / CAD $200 discount. But, if you register as a Cathay Pacific CyberTraveler, you'll receive a USD $200 / CAD $400 discount for yourself and up to 3 accompanying guests, bringing the price of your All Asia Pass to an incredible USD $999 / CAD $1,499.

Here's What You Get
Your All Asia Pass includes roundtrip Economy Class air transportation between New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, B.C. or Toronto and Hong Kong, plus 21 consecutive days of Economy Class travel to any or all of 17 other qualifying Asian cities.

In 2004, you may depart from North America:
* February 1 through May 13, 2004 or
* August 17 through December 1, 2004

But if you prefer to depart from Canada during the summer period (May 14, 2004 through August 16, 2004) summer travel is still a great deal for an additional USD $300 / CAD $450.

If you are the adventuresome sort, you can see Hong Kong and every one of the 17 qualifying cities. Of course, you can see fewer cities if you'd like to spend more time experiencing the local culture and learning more about each destination. And to make our All Asia Pass an even greater value you can purchase optional add-ons. Choose to add selected cities in Australia, China, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka or Vietnam to your itinerary or extend your travel period in Asia from 21 days to 30, 45, 60 or 90 days. We even have upgrade add-ons available should you desire the ultimate comfort of Cathay Pacific Business Class.

All of Asia is Waiting For You, No Matter Where You Live
We think you'll find Cathay Pacific's All Asia Pass is the best air travel bargain anywhere. If you don't live in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, B.C. or Toronto your travel agent can sell you a ticket on a domestic carrier to get you to one of our Cathay Pacific gateway cities. Even with the cost of that ticket included, the All Asia Pass is a terrific value.

With an extensive Asian route network, one of the world's youngest fleets, a reputation for excellent service and a great new airport, who better than Cathay Pacific to offer you this unique travel opportunity to see more of Asia than you ever thought possible!
Highlights and Options that Make the All Asia Pass Better Than Ever!
* Students, Children and Adults 55+ receive a USD $100 / CAD $200 discount
* CyberTravelers receive a USD $200 / CAD $400 discount
* Affordable change fee of USD $50 / CAD $75

Shop and compare, ask your friends, consult your professional travel agent. We don't think you'll find better value for your money anywhere. If ever there was a time to see all of Asia, that time is now. And Cathay Pacific provides you the perfect opportunity with the All Asia Pass. Hurry, space is limited. We suggest you see your travel agent today to purchase your All Asia Pass!

* The USD $999/CAD $1499 price reflects the USD $200/CAD $400 discount for registered Cathay Pacific CyberTravelers. Price does not include:

For USA departures; U.S. taxes and fees ranging from USD $48.00 - $49.50 per person or foreign taxes and fees ranging from USD $8.00 to USD $55.00 per person per foreign airport departure.

For Canadian departures; NAVCAN, Canadian security charges, departure taxes and passenger facility charges of up to CAD $65.00, foreign taxes and fees ranging from CAD $32.00 to CAD $100.00 per person plus foreign local airport departure taxes.

Prices in USD are applicable to U.S. residents with U.S. mailing addresses only. Prices in CAD are applicable to Canadian residents with Canadian mailing addresses only.

NZ wine part of star performance
23 November 2004
New Zealand Herald

How does a serious traveller decide which airline to choose? On the basis of the winelist of course. Which means Cathay Pacific is obviously the way to go.

Cathay was one of the star performers - and the best of the airlines which fly to New Zealand - in this year's Business Traveller/Wine International Cellars in the Sky competition.

Better still, one of the wines which helped achieve that success was from New Zealand, Framingham's Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Cathay was judged as having the best business class cellar, with American Airlines and British Airways among the runners-up.

Japan Airlines, which does not fly direct to New Zealand, had the best first class cellar, with Qantas, Malaysian and Lan among the runners-up.

Most of the top wines you can drink on aircraft are, according to the judges, from France.

But Cathay's Framingham Sauvignon Blanc (pictured right) and Air New Zealand's Highfield Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc were joint runners-up in the best business class white category.

23 November 2004
Corporate News Release

Joint food promotion campaign launched by Cathay Pacific airways and The Hong Kong Jockey Club

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The Executive Chefs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Happy Valley Clubhouse, Christoph Suter and Lo Tak Yan to handover the food menu to two Cathay Pacific's cabin crews

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Cathay Pacific's General Manager Inflight Services Peter Langslow (left) and Executive Director of Membership Services of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Billy K C Chen to officiate the kick-off ceremony of the new joint food promotion



A joint food promotion campaign is announced today by Cathay Pacific Airways and The Hong Kong Jockey Club, offering passengers a selection of dishes from the Club's acclaimed Happy Valley Clubhouse restaurants. A special menu will be served on virtually all Cathay Pacific flights departing from Hong Kong from 1 December 2004 to 30 April 2005.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the largest quality membership club in Hong Kong with a long and distinguished tradition, provides the absolute best in food, service and activities for members, as well as catering services for the public. Its clubhouses offer a number of exceptional restaurants. At the helm are some of the region’s top culinary talents, each deploying his unique approach to the culinary art, resulting in a singular distinctive dining experience.

Cathay Pacific together with the Hong Kong Jockey Club has selected the best of both Chinese and Western specialties from Derby Restaurant & Bar, Fortune Room and Gallop of Happy Valley Clubhouse. More than 50 dishes will be served on Cathay Pacific flights. Amongst them are the renowned Steamed Chicken Balls with Mushrooms and Water Chestnuts ‘Chiu Chow’ Style, Braised Beef Brisket with Peanuts on a Lotus Leaf and Pan-fried Turbot with Salsify, Confit of Garlic and Girolle Veloute.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Inflight Services Peter Langslow said, “We are delighted to offer Cathay Pacific passengers the chance to sample dishes from one of best membership clubs not only in Hong Kong but also in Asia. This partnership has once again demonstrated our commitment to offer premium inflight dining to our passengers to further enhance their flying experience.”

"The partnership with Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong's flag-carrying airline, has brought us closer to our missions of offering quality services and providing members with the feeling of exclusivity and privilege. I am confident the partnership will bring Cathay Pacific travellers an extraordinary dining experience," said Mr Billy K C Chen, Executive Director of Membership Services of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Cathay Pacific is committed to offering the very best food and product to its passengers. Its special food promotion that runs periodically has been a big hit with passengers all over the world. Recently its expertise in selecting the finest wines to serve inflight has also been recognised with the airline being named the “Best Business Class Cellar” and “First Class Most Original Wine List” in the Cellar in the Sky 2004 wine awards by Business Traveller and Wine International.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is dedicated to becoming a world leader in horse racing, sporting and betting entertainment, and Hong Kong's premier charity and community benefactor. The Club strives to provide total customer satisfaction through meeting the expectations of all Club customers. The mission is reflected by the award winning ‘Our Journey to Excellence’ staff training programme in the Membership Services Division that brings the service standards to the highest level by the professional and caring staff imbued with drive, pride and passion.

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24 November 2004
Corporate Press Release

Cathay Pacific celebrates daily Beijing service with “Visit Beijing Now” promotion

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced a special “Visit Beijing Now” promotion to celebrate the airline’s upcoming daily service between Hong Kong and Beijing from 1 December 2004. The new service will bring the two cities closer than even and also reinforces Hong Kong’s position as an international aviation hub and the primary gateway to China.

The “Visit Beijing Now” special promotion offers passengers two nights of free accommodation in three of Beijing’s top premium hotels. Passengers who’ve booked with Cathay Pacific to travel to Beijing anytime between 1 December 2004 to 28 February 2005 will enjoy the delightful rooms at Marco Polo Beijing, Novotel Peace Beijing or the Shangri-La’s Kerry Centre Hotel. Bookings are accepted from now until 14 January 2005. Asia Miles accrual is subject to the applicable fare conditions.

Cathay Pacific resumed services to Beijing with three weekly flights on 2 December 2003. The four additional weekly flights will offer passengers more options to connect with the airline’s international services through Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific Airways General Manager Sales Hong Kong and China Clement Lam said: “We are delighted to launch this promotion to celebrate our daily service to Beijing. Passengers can now be better connected to China and the rest of the world via Hong Kong and at the same time, enjoy Cathay Pacific’s premium service.”

Cathay Pacific has been granted rights to operate a second daily service to Beijing from the start of the Summer 2005 season. If Cathay Pacific were able to operate that service at a different time of the day that would create wider opportunities for the airline to draw more connecting passengers over Hong Kong.

Wednesday November 24, 08:51 AM
BROKER CALL - Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific 2004 earnings forecast raised - CSFB

HONG KONG (AFX) - Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) said it has raised its 2004 earnings forecast for Cathay Pacific to 3.77 bln hkd from 3.56 bln hkd as a result of the weaker US dollar which is boosting the firm's yields for tickets sold in appreciating currencies.

The greenback's slide is also likely to reduce pricing pressures in air cargo markets for Cathay against rivals who charge cargo rates in currencies that have appreciated against the dollar, CSFB said.

'We estimate that passenger yields will be up 3 pct and cargo yields 1 pct better off in (year to December) 2005 if the current weak US dollar holds for that year. Net profits are highly sensitive to yield moves,' it said.

CSFB said it has revised its 2005 earnings forecast for Cathay Pacific to 5.10 bln hkd from 4.25 bln hkd following changes in its yield assumptions.

It added that it has raised its target price for the airline to 15.25 hkd a share from 13.25 hkd.

It said that Cathay Pacific is effectively a US-dollar denominated cost base airline and it gains the full benefit of a fall in the US currency in terms of translational gains on tickets it sells in appreciating currencies.

'This leads to an increase in passenger yield and profits are highly sensitive to yield changes. We estimate some 30 pct of Cathay's passenger tickets are in non-US dollar or linked currencies,' it said.

Passenger ticket sales next would be about 10 pct higher than earlier estimated by CSFB, the house said.

'We are raising our passenger yield growth from 0 pct to 3 pct. Further, we had estimated a 3 pct cargo yield decline. However, there will be less price competition from non-US dollar carriers and we have reduced the decline to 2 pct,' CSFB said.
Cathay Pacific closed down 0.20 hkd or 1.42 pct at 13.85 on volume of 5.93 mln shares.

(US$1 = HK$7.8)

26 November 2004
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific celebrates latest cadet pilot graduation with Hong Kong Secretary for Economic Development

Cathay Pacific Airways today celebrated the graduation of its latest class of cadet pilots, with guest of honour Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip on hand to give certificates to the latest 10 Hong Kong pilots to pass through the airline’s Cadet Pilot Programme.

Today’s was the airline’s 19th graduating class. Proud parents of the cadets also attended the ceremony at the BAE System Flight Training centre in Adelaide, Australia.

Cathay Pacific launched the Cadet Pilot Programme in 1988 to recruit and train Hong Kong pilots. Since then, some 264 cadets, including today’s class, have graduated from the course. Another 21 cadets spread across three classes are currently in training. Cathay Pacific pays for the entire 15-month residential programme.

Mr Ip joined Cathay Pacific Director & Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen to tour the centre, which has been training professional pilots for more than two decades. Mr Ip saw first-hand how the Hong Kong cadets are taught using the centre’s own hangar and maintenance facilities, lecture rooms and aircraft simulators. The centre also operates 40 single and twin-engine training aircraft, including two aerobatic trainers and a Cathay Pacific-owned Learjet 45.

Mr Chen, speaking at the graduation ceremony, said: “Today’s cadet pilot graduation ceremony once again underlines Cathay Pacific’s commitment to invest in the continued expansion of Hong Kong’s aviation industry and develop the kind of skilled workforce that’s essential for Hong Kong’s future success. Our latest crop of cadets will strengthen the foundation for Cathay Pacific’s future growth as Hong Kong’s home carrier, helping to reinforce the development of Hong Kong as a global aviation hub.”

Mr Ip said: “Learning to fly takes skill and determination and I would like congratulate each of the graduates from the Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme. Aviation plays a major part in Hong Kong’s economy and Cathay Pacific’s investment in pilot training is vital to Hong Kong’s future and the industry’s development.”

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27 November 2004
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific “I Can Fly” students renew their community commitment

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Group picture in front of the Boeing assembly line with Boeing staff, a Cathay Pacific pilot and staff leaders.

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30 members together with Cathay Pacific pilots and staff leaders pictured in front of the A380 mockup

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40 members experienced flying training at the BAE Flying School in Adelaide

Cathay Pacific Airways today welcomed back the top 100 students from its “I Can Fly” programme, who renewed their commitment to share with Hong Kong people what they learned from their year-long experience learning about aviation, taking part in community service activities and making trips overseas.

One thousand students aged between 13 and 18 took part in the programme during which they learned about aviation and devised community service programmes. Cathay Pacific pilots acted as their mentors.

Five-day trips to either the Boeing and Airbus aircraft factories in the United States and France or the BAE Systems Flight Training School in Adelaide, where Cathay Pacific cadet pilots are trained, were awarded to the top 100 students from the programme. Most of them joined today’s reunion.

Many described “I Can Fly” and their overseas visits as the experience of a lifetime. Not only did they learn about aviation but they also came to value teamwork and develop leadership skills.

“It was the first time that I travelled overseas,” said Amelia Tso who toured the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France. “It was an eye-opening opportunity for me to see the birth of the super jumbo A380 taking shape in the factory!”

“We not only learned about technology used in aircraft factories but also about the way millions of parts come together to make state-of-the art aircraft,” says Bonita Wong who visited the Boeing plant in Seattle, USA.

“I really flew a glider when I visited Adelaide. It was amazing!” said Winnie Ho who went to the BAE Systems Flight Training School.

Cathay Pacific Corporate Communication Manager – Public Relations Kandy Chan said: “Only 100 of the 1,000 ‘I Can Fly’ students made it on one of the overseas trips, and they all now feel committed to act as ambassadors for the programme and continue working to help others in the community. Today’s reunion showed their desire to pass on what they learned to others in Hong Kong, and their drive to reach their goals. Cathay Pacific will continue to support these committed young people and future Hong Kong youth development programmes.”

Published on December 02, 2004

An engine on a Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300 exploded shortly after takeoff from Bangkok Inter-national Airport yesterday.

Debris from the aircraft’s left engine fell on a car and pickup truck travelling on the Lak Si intersection overpass, near the airport. The vehicles were badly damaged, but there were no injuries.

The aircraft returned to Bang-kok International Airport about 20 minutes after takeoff, landing safely. There were no reported injuries.

Deputy Transport Minister Vi-chet Kasemthongsri said that an engine on Cathay Pacific flight CX751 from Bangkok to Bombay had malfunctioned, causing a small explosion minutes after taking off from Bangkok International Air-port at 6pm. The aircraft was carrying 348 passengers.

Vichet said he had instructed Aviation Department officials to contact the Hong Kong authorities for details of what went wrong.

Pol Colonel Amnart Intarapra-sart, superintendent of Thung-songhong police station, said a part of the engine - about 1.5 metres wide and two metres long - had fallen onto the roof of a car and a pickup on the Lak Si overpass.

Smoke was billowing from the engine on the left wing of the aircraft when it returned to Bangkok International Airport.

Pol Corporal Paisal Charana of Thungsonghong police station said he saw sparks from the engine as it was taking off and then saw part of the engine fall from the sky. “After that the plane however kept flying as if nothing had gone wrong,” he added.

02 December 2004
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific's flight CX751 incident

Cathay Pacific Airways clarified facts relating to an incident involving CX751 from Bangkok to Mumbai on 1 December, 2004.

Wire reports referring to a “A Cathay Pacific passenger jet’s left engine exploded minutes after takeoff from the Thai capital Bangkok” are completely incorrect.

CX751 (From Bangkok to Mumbai, Boeing 777-300) turned back to BKK at 18.57L Dec 1 after being airborne at 17.58L. The inner surface of the number one engine left hand D duct collapsed causing seperation of a section of the duct structure. The proximity of the released material to the engine exhaust may have produced some sparks.

The engine continued to operate satisfactorily. CX751 returned to Bangkok as a standard precautionary procedure. The safety of the 345 passengers and 17 crew members on board was not in question.

A plane was dispatched from Hong Kong to pick up the passengers to continue their journey to Mumbai. The scheduled departure time is 01.45L Dec 2.

The aircraft is currently on ground in Bangkok for inspection by Cathay Pacific and Boeing. Both HKCAD and the aviation authorities of Thailand have been informed of the incident.

D Duct

D duct is produced by Boeing and houses the engine thrust reverser. It comes in two halves and wraps around the engine core. A section of the left hand D duct on the No. 1 engine has delaminated, therefore releasing a section of composite material from the affected area. Both Cathay Pacific Engineering and Boeing are inspecting and investigating the incident.

It was reported that fallen debris from CX751 had hit a vehicle. The owner of the vehicle was not injured. Cathay Pacific is closely cooperating with the authorities in Thailand in the investigation of this matter.

Saturday December 4, 3:36 PM
Cathay denies cover-up over returned London-bound flight

(AP) Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. acknowledged Saturday that one of its London-bound flights was forced to turn back to Hong Kong in September with engine trouble, but denied there has been a cover-up amid a spate of similar incidents in recent weeks.

A newspaper accused Hong Kong-based Cathay _ one of Asia's largest airlines _ of failing to report the Sept. 5 incident, in which flight CX 251 carrying 382 passengers turned back to Hong Kong's airport about two hours after take off because the pilot detected trouble with one of the engines and shut it off.

A Cathay spokeswoman confirmed Saturday that the airline's investigation found that the Boeing 747-400 jet had experienced trouble because there was a crack on its fuel exhaust pipe, causing it to leak oil.

The Oriental Daily News quoted the mother of one of the passengers, identified only as Mrs. Kwan, as complaining that her son was terrified by the incident and that she was dissatisfied that Cathay did not publicize it.

The spokeswoman, Carolyn Leung, denied the company had tried to cover-up the incident, saying there was no need to make public the event because the flight had landed safely and the safety of the passengers had never been compromised.

Leung said Cathay had reported the incident to Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department, which ordered the airline to inspect all of its 24 Boeing 747-400 jets.

The company found problems with the fuel exhaust pipes of 27 engines and has repaired or replaced them, Leung said.

In recent weeks, there were at least three similar incidents where Cathay was forced to abort a flight because of engine problems.

The latest involved flight CX751 carrying 362 people from Bangkok, Thailand to Bombay, India.

The Boeing 777-300 returned to Bangkok on Wednesday after a chunk of its engine broke off and hit the ground, smashing into a car. But no casualties were reported.

Last month, one of Cathay's Hong Kong-bound flights returned to Los Angeles after witnesses reported seeing flames on one of its engines.

Leung said the company is still investigating the three incidents and has no further details.

Cathay Pacific launches two additional flights from Dubai
6 December 2004
Middle East Company News

Dubai - Cathay Pacific Airways launched today two additional direct flights from Dubai to Hong Kong signifying the airline's commitment to better serve the Middle East market despite rising fuel costs.

In a simple ceremony at the airport, Cathay Pacific welcomed the passengers taking the first of the additional flights.

“The new flights offer our customers a very convenient early evening departure from Dubai. This gives an early morning arrival in to Hong Kong, which meets the needs of the business travellers to get there for the start of the business day. For leisure travellers, the flights give you more time in Hong Kong and so you can make the most of your holiday”, said Philip Herbert, Cathay Pacific Country Manager for UAE and Oman.

Commenting on the other opportunities that the new flights create, Mr. Herbert added that: “As well as being good news for people travelling to Hong Kong, the new flights are excellent for onward connections. Filipino passengers in particular will find the new service attractive as it allows you to get to Manila and Cebu by lunchtime, which is great if you have onward travel within the Philippines”.

Together with the arrival and departure times of Cathay Pacific's existing services between Dubai and Hong Kong, the new flights open up more opportunities to take connecting flights to and from their destinations in North Asia, South East Asia, China, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada from Hong Kong.

Although the aviation industry is suffering from rising fuel prices, Cathay Pacific has continued its investment in the Middle East. In addition of the two new direct flights to Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific is also adding two more services a week from Dubai to Bahrain, bringing its service between Dubai and Bahrain to four frequencies per week each way, further strengthening its position in the market.

“The UAE is an important market for Cathay Pacific. Thanks to the economic boom that is taking place, more and more people are travelling to and from Dubai and with our increased schedule, award-winning product and Service Straight From The Heart, we give our customers the service they want and need”, concluded Mr. Herbert.

From 1st December, Cathay Pacific flies 13 times a week between Dubai and Hong Kong, with 7 direct flights, 2 services via Bahrain and 4 services via Mumbai and Bangkok.

07 December 2004
Corporate Press Release
17 Japanese tourists join the first ‘Cathay Pacific Flight Attendant Experience Tour’

How does it feel to be a flight attendant? “I never realised it could be such a tough job!” exclaimed Yamada Tomomi, after completing a two-day inflight service training course with Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong.

Seventeen Japanese women from Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya joined the first “Cathay Pacific Flight Attendant Experience Tour” this week, coming to Hong Kong to get a first-hand experience of what it takes to become an airline flight attendant. The focus of the tour was a special training programme designed specifically for the tourists, covering aviation knowledge, an introduction to the career of a flight attendant, grooming, and practical skills in cabin services – including a session on wine tasting.

The members of the first tour were all excited about taking part in the training. A simple ceremony marked their “graduation” on completion of the course.

Cathay Pacific’s General Manager Corporate Communication Alan Wong said: “We’ve introduced this new package because we discovered there is a certain segment in some Asian countries interested in learning about what it’s like to be a cabin crew member. Flight attendant training is one of the key factors in Cathay Pacific’s success and we are delighted to be able to offer customers the chance to view things from the other side of the service trolley.”

Those who flew from Japan for the inaugural training course at Cathay City enjoyed what was a new experience for them all. Ms Tomomi, a secretary, said she would like to change her work environment and “this trip offers me an opportunity to experience the work of a flight attendant for myself.”

Acknowledging that the nature of the job is not as leisurely as most people think, Yamada Tomomi said: “I like to meet people from different parts of the world. An airline with an extensive global network like CX would give me this valuable chance.”

Yamashita Katsuko joined this course for another purpose. “I’m interested in foreign languages. I’d like to take the advantage of working at a Hong Kong airline to sharpen my English and Putonghua,” she said.

Ayano Suzuki, who already had some airline knowledge through a summer job at the airport in her hometown, Chiba, said: “I’ve learnt a lot of useful things, such as how to use polite Japanese expressions when speaking to customers.”

Another member of the group, university student Masako Takada from Osaka, said: “It’s exciting for me because this is the first time I’ve come to Hong Kong. The Cathay people have been kind and friendly - and very professional as well. I’m really happy with the way we’ve been treated.”

Yuka Kozaka, who has flown on Cathay Pacific a few times before, said she joined the tour “because I wanted to check out the secret that lies behind Cathay’s great inflight service for myself”, while Mika Furukawa said she actually aspired to become a flight attendant. “I think Hong Kong would be a good starting place for my career and I’m sure there would a lot to learn and experience in such a multicultural place,” she said.

Launched by Cathay Pacific Airways in conjunction with Cathay Pacific Holidays, the “Cathay Pacific Flight Attendant Experience Tour” targets a number of the airline’s key Asian markets. Classes will be conducted in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese or Korean to suit different markets.

Saturday December 11, 11:51 AM
Cathay to resume flying four Boeing 777-300 jets taken out of service after reporting engine problems

AP - Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. said Saturday it will resume flying four Boeing 777-300 jets that were pulled out of service after an engine part fell off one of them as the aircraft flew over Thailand last week.

The 2-meter (6.6-foot) long chunk of an engine duct smashed the roof of a car near Bangkok's airport on Dec. 1. No one was injured but Flight CX751 bound for Bombay was forced to turn back to the Thai capital.

The Hong Kong-based airline later inspected all 10 of its Boeing 777-300 jets and discovered the engine ducts in four were faulty.

Cathay said Boeing Co. found that overheating had caused problems in the planes' ducts, but the problem had been fixed.

"The repairs and identified inspection intervals will ensure that an event similar to the one experienced on Dec. 1 will not occur again," Boeing's Vice President John Quinlivan wrote in a letter to Cathay.

Cathay's spokeswoman Carolyn Leung said the airline was still checking the planes but will resume flying them next week.

The Dec. 1 incident was one of a recent spate of engine problems reported on Cathay's planes.

One involved a Hong Kong-bound flight that was forced to return to Los Angeles after witnesses reported seeing flames coming from one of the engines on Nov. 9.

Cathay said a new turbine blade caused the problem on the Los Angeles flight and that the part has since been returned to its manufacturer, Rolls-Royce, for inspections.

香港國泰航空9日晚間一班由香港起飛，經台北飛往大阪的班機，因為引擎故障，向大阪機場塔台要求優先降落，所幸機上148名乘客平安降落，不過國泰飛安再度引發各界關注，因為這已經是最近3個月內，第6起在空中發生引擎故障的事件。

國泰航空班機接二連三的發生空中引擎故障，12月1日，一架由曼谷飛往孟買的班機，在空中發生引擎金屬導管爆裂，掉落的巨大零件壓毀地面一輛汽車跟貨車的意外事件，國泰剛被迫在8日舉行記者會，對最近3個月內的空中引擎故障進行說明。

之前包括11月18日由倫敦飛往香港的班機，發生引擎冒煙，渦輪葉片脫落而被迫折返；11月9日，由美國洛杉磯往香港的班機，起飛不久就發生引擎著火，被迫空中放油進行迫降；9月5日由香港往倫敦的班機，也是起飛後發生引擎漏油，並出現火花，被迫關閉引擎，折返機場。

由於這幾次都是波音747與777─3百型的客機，國泰意有所指的將責任歸屬指向波音公司的設計問題，引發波音公司反駁，認為這是國泰維修保養的問題。不料口水戰還沒有結束，9日晚間國泰又發生引擎故障，而要求優先降落大阪機場，而這次客機卻是空中巴士A330型，證實了波音公司的說法。

據了解，國泰航空過去勞資糾紛頻繁，人手短缺一直讓各界引以為憂，今年以來，引擎事故就高達12次，因此雖然國泰已經宣佈4架飛機停飛維修，不過香港各界的批判聲浪仍然不斷。

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^ somebody please translate

CX fleet occured to problem of engine failure for up to 6, within of 3 months since The Bangkok incident was lefted by it's B777-300 on Dec. 1.

Another CX's flight to OSK via TPE, using of A330 aircraft, was reported to emergency landing to KIX caused same situation raised by Dec. 9

Not long ago one flight back to HKG from LON, was also happened for engine problem on Nov. 18 by B747 series although there were all no injured and safed for all passenger

CX claimed to that it could be the neglectful of Boeing design but now airbus aircraft was also involved to latest

It is seems to that the labour disputed and movement on past repeatedly that manpower shortage and service standard running down were caused for such incident

According to CX stated that total of 12 events had been reported for it's engine problems within on this calender year

Cathay urged to take additional safety measures
Ann Collier, Hong Kong Standard
10 December 2004

The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) wrote a letter to Cathay Pacific last week, urging the airline to take additional safety measures after a series of engine failures, a CAD official has revealed.

In the past year, Hong Kong's three major airlines - Cathay Pacific, DragonAir and cargo carrier Air Hong Kong - were involved in a total of 200 minor incidents, the CAD said on Thursday.

In the case of Cathay Pacific, two of these incidents involved pieces of debris falling from the engine area mid-flight.

Civil Aviation Department's deputy director general Leung Yu-keung said it was common for small parts to fall from aeroplanes.

Most of these incidents go unreported to the public, although airlines are obliged to report them to the Civil Aviation Department, which is Hong Kong's aviation regulator.

"The cause was a design problem, not Cathay's error. These [minor problems] are quite common in the aircraft industry and engineering ... where products are designed in an office.

"We know that incidents of system failures happen regularly on aircraft, what we really need to do to ensure safety is to share information," Leung said.

"Cathay Pacific is one of the best airlines in the world and its maintenance practices are at the very top of the industry," he said.

Boeing's Mark Hooper said: "It [Cathay] is very concerned about its responsibilities in ensuring that the fleet is safe to fly."

On Wednesday, Cathay Pacific announced it had grounded four Boeing 770-300s to check for defects after a part of an aeroplane's engine fell to the ground following take-off from Bangkok.

"We expect all the checks and certification to be ready by next week, all going well, but we will not put the planes back into service until we are absolutely satisfied the problems have been fully rectified," Leung said. "I can assure you that Hong Kong aviation is working to international standards."

The aeroplanes were grounded after a two-metre diameter casing fell from an engine on an aeroplane en route from Bangkok to Mumbai in India on December 1 and hit a car on the ground. There were no injuries.

After further inspection, Cathay concluded the engine duct had come loose due to heat stress, according to Cathay Pacific maintenance support manager Robert Wales.

Cathay found three other 777-300s in its fleet with similar heat damage and grounded them immediately. The airline as well as the CAD accredit the engine incident to a design flaw.

A similar incident onboard a 777-300 took place in July on an aircraft flying from Taipei to Hong Kong.

The pilot did not realise it, however, until the aeroplane had landed, according to Cathay engineering director Robert Cridland.

The Bangkok incident was the latest of a seemingly unlucky slew of Cathay engine mishaps.

On November 18, a London flight en route to Hong Kong had to turn back after an object drawn into one of the jets caused engine vibrations.

An engine turbine blade also came loose on a November 9 flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, forcing the pilot to land immediately.

On September 5, a cracked fuel rod clip forced the crew of a Hong Kong-London flight to shut down an engine and returned to the SAR.

When Cathay inspected the rest of its fleet, it found 27 engine fuel rods with signs of stress.

Cathay's Nov passenger traffic up 18.5 pct Year / Year

HONG KONG, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. , Hong Kong's main carrier, said on Monday the number of passengers increased 18.5 percent in November from a year ago, boosted by strong demand from business travellers.

The airline carried 1.19 million passengers in November, up from 1.17 million passengers in October, it said, not providing a year-ago November figure.

"Business traffic was buoyant, improving loads and yield, as companies sought to close deals by the end of the year," Ian Shiu, Cathay's general manager for revenue management, sales & distribution said in a statement.

November's passenger load factor was 77.1 percent, little changed from 77.6 percent the previous month.

Cathay Pacific carried 86,933 tonnes of cargo in November, down from 90,533 tonnes in October.

13 December 2004
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific releases November 2004 traffic figures

Cathay Pacific Airways today released traffic figures for November 2004 that show passenger and cargo volumes responded well to seasonal upturns and the introduction of new winter season services.

The airline carried 1,187,548 passengers in November, up from 1,167,690 passengers carried in October. Figures were boosted by strong demand from business travellers and heavy traffic to and from the Middle East, Malaysia and Indonesia at the end of the festival of Ramadan.

The airline also added new services to Auckland, Brisbane, Dubai, Manila, Surabaya and Sydney. November’s passenger load factor was 77.1 percent, flat compared to 77.6 percent the month before.

Cathay Pacific carried 86,933 tonnes of cargo, down from 90,533 tonnes in October simply on account of there being one less day in November. Cargo demand remained at a peak and the load factor dipped only slightly to 68.5 percent, down from 71.3 percent in October, even with addition of a third wet-lease freighter to the fleet. The airline takes delivery of a new B747-400 freighter in February.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales & Distribution Ian Shiu said: “Business traffic was buoyant, improving loads and yield, as companies sought to close deals by the end of the year. The end of Ramadan boosted loads in the back end and we operated a number of extra sectors to Indonesia and Malaysia in order to cope with the holiday-related travel. December will of course be another very busy month.”

Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: “November was another good month. Business out of Hong Kong on trunk routes to the US, Japan and Europe remained strong. Current indications say this should keep up through the end of the year."

Cathay Pacific @ Bangkok
By superjet @ HKADB :

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Air-scare defendant 'heard voices'
Polly Hui
17 December 2004
South China Morning Post

A passenger who tried to open the emergency door of a Cathay Pacific plane at an altitude of more than 9,000 metres told a court yesterday he had heard voices in his head.

Anthony Yeung Ngor-wah, a 37-year-old sound equipment engineer, partially twisted open the handle of the door on Flight CX509 from Tokyo to Hong Kong on November 7. An air hostess and a passenger prevented him from opening the door.

Yeung, who does not have a history of psychiatric problems, was charged with carrying out an act that was likely to endanger an aircraft.

He told the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Court that he was hearing voices in his head before trying to turn the handle and was now seeing a doctor.

The court also heard that after Yeung was restrained, crew members tried to question him but he would not answer and instead kept muttering to himself.

Yeung was released on bail of $5,000.

He was told to appear in court again on January 27 and to provide updated medical records.

The prosecutor asked for the case to be transferred to the District Court.

The maximum penalty for offences under the Aviation Security Ordinance is life imprisonment. Cathay Pacific spokeswoman Carolyn Leung said it was "almost impossible" for a person to open a plane's emergency door while it was in the air.

"The large difference between the internal and external pressure of the plane, coupled with the plug-type doors, make it very difficult for anybody to open," she said.

Aircraft security systems were designed to alert pilots if someone touched the emergency door. "That person will be stopped by our staff before an attempt can be made," she said.

The offence is understood to be the first of its type in Hong Kong's aviation history.

Boarding pass to a bright future
Cathay's management trainee programme prepares graduates for a high-flying career
18 December 2004
South China Morning Post

MANAGEMENT training programmes are considered a valuable step up the ladder for bright young graduates who wish to succeed in the business world. But some of these programmes lack the scope for long-term development.

In contrast, Cathay Pacific's programme prepares graduates for a long-term career in general management.

"Our management trainees become business leaders rather than specialists because they are continuously rotated throughout our business operations," said Sarah Kwok, strategic resourcing and development manager for Cathay Pacific.

During the coaching period, trainees are given the opportunity to manage diverse business operations, such as engineering, in-flight services, airline planning, international affairs, revenue management or loyalty marketing.

This breadth of exposure puts them on a fast track to the most senior positions.

"Most of our senior managers and directors began on the management trainee programme. In fact, our current chief operating officer, Phillip Chen, was a management trainee," Ms Kwok said.

Training begins with three months of intensive induction, including tuition in core business skills such as financial management, leadership and team-building.

An eight-week placement at Hong Kong International Airport allows trainees to develop a front-line perspective of the business, and to take part in a group project through which they recommend improvements for an area of airport operations.

Trainees then move into the first of three one-year placements, typically as an assistant to the general manager of a specific business unit. In the final year, they take up an international posting with one of Cathay Pacific's outports.

Participants are expected to show high levels of self-motivation and drive throughout each placement, and must cope with steep learning curves.

Corporate communication manager Kandy Chan, a recent trainee, was working in Los Angeles as assistant to the Cathay Pacific vice-president, Americas, when the September 11, 2001 attacks happened. While she was officially working on an e-business model, Ms Chan quickly moved into an analysis and advisory role, providing data on the feasibility of service provision following the crashes.

"I like the fact that the programme provided real challenges," she said.

Trainee managers receive practical support and coaching from experienced leaders throughout the programme. For example, during the induction period, they attend business briefings from Cathay Pacific directors and network with members of the senior management team.

This gives them the confidence to contribute to the business early in their career.

"Management trainees are never considered too junior to suggest a new idea," said former trainee Gabriel Lee, now in-flight services strategic unit manager. "If you can make a good business case for your idea, then you are encouraged to do it."

On completion of the programme, trainees join the general management list, an elite pool of staff from which senior management appointments are made. They continue to receive support and development throughout their careers.

Progress depends on the strengths and performance of each individual, but a typical career path might include steady progression through middle and senior management roles, ultimately reaching positions in general management or as a director.

"It is one of the few management trainee programmes to offer a truly long-term structured career path with clear career progression," Ms Kwok said.

Given the long-term scope of the programme, one might assume that Cathay only considers the brightest candidates. However, while having a degree is important, other factors are considered to be of equal or higher importance. In particular, Cathay looks for applicants who are passionate, self-driven and who demonstrate leadership qualities.

"The trainees have to take up responsibility quickly. We don't spoon-feed them, so they need to do more than the minimum expected."

Business acumen is another desirable attribute.

"We don't expect all applicants to have a specialised business degree but candidates should be interested in business," Ms Kwok said.

For this reason, Cathay favours candidates with up to three years of relevant work experience. Applicants should also be adaptable and mobile, and demonstrate cultural sensitivity.

"The programme takes management trainees around the world, and they will have to physically relocate several times in their careers," Ms Kwok said. "They need to show self-awareness and know how to win respect in order to work with different cultures and business units. They also need to be people-focused and team-oriented. After all, while this business is diverse, it is still a service industry."

WHAT THE BROKER SAID
19 December 2004
South China Morning Post

About a year ago the prospects of a bounce-back in earnings driven by aviation and property trading led DBS Vickers Securities to maintain its "hold'' recommendation on Swire Pacific A. Although there was some upside in the stock - the broker's revised one-year price target was $54.50 - its valuation was not low.

Office rents were likely to come under further pressure before they stabilised, but most of Swire's other businesses were performing well. Property sales had picked up along with prices since August.

Strong passenger figures at Cathay Pacific Airways had led DBS Vickers to raise its estimate of its contribution, boosting full-year 2003-04 earnings forecasts by 8.4 per cent to 15.5 per cent.

The broker raised its 2003 dividend per share estimate by 7 per cent to $1.24 because of the turnaround in contribution from aviation, strong balance sheet and improved business outlook. However, the 2003 yield still fell below the sector average of 3.6 per cent.

While next year was almost certain to be respectable, a large part of it was priced into the stock. The broker's revised price target was premised on a 10 per cent discount to forward net asset value and 15 times full-year 2004 price-earnings ratio. The counter was trading at about $46.60 at the time.

In March Swire Pacific reported an 8.46 per cent fall in net profit for 2003 to $4.92 billion after a second-half property surge helped offset a steep decline in its aviation business. Swire recommended a dividend of $1.34.

In August Swire announced a net profit for the first six months of this year of $2.95 billion, compared with $1.18 billion in the period last year.

Property business accounted for most of its earnings, while Cathay Pacific contributed about 30 per cent.

The counter closed at $62.50 on Friday.

Cathay's Advertisement @ Hong Kong Station
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@ Hung Hom KCR Station
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By various photographers from HKADB.

OneWorld a hop away with e-ticket
Steve Creedy
21 December 2004
The Australian

QANTAS passengers can now use one e-ticket on all seven of the flying kangaroo's OneWorld alliance partners.

The airline finalised links last week with Cathay Pacific, allowing it to offer e-tickets to almost 600 destinations in the OneWorld network.

Other partners include Ireland's Aer Lingus, American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Spain's Iberia and Chile's LAN.

The International Air Transport Association has identified a move to e-tickets as a major cost-saving for airlines, estimating it will save the industry $US3 billion ($4 billion) worldwide.

The Australian carrier also praised the benefits to travellers of e-tickets, saying they could not be lost or stolen, they made check-in faster and it was easier to change bookings.

"It is an important achievement for Qantas and the OneWorld alliance," said Qantas head of sales and distribution Rob Gurney.

Qantas had also signed an $18 million deal with international electronic and systems group Thales to upgrade seven full-flight simulators.

Thales will upgrade two Boeing 747-400 simulators to the highest internationally recognised level of flight simulation.

A Boeing 767-300 machine will be upgraded to the same architecture as three recently delivered machines.

The six simulators and a third-party 747-400 facility will also have a state-of-the-art visual system fitted, a spokesman said.

Transportation Safety Board of Canada Releases Report into the Engine Shutdown of a Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus

GATINEAU, QC, Dec. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its final report into an emergency landing of a Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus 340-300 that occurred on October 20, 2002, at Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia.

The aircraft departed the Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Ontario, just before midnight eastern standard time, on a scheduled flight to Hong Kong, China, with a planned refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska. There were 249 passengers and 13 crew on board. One hour and nine minutes into the flight, while cruising at 35 000 feet, the pilots observed the number one engine shut down spontaneously. The pilots continued flight on three engines and diverted to Vancouver International Airport. The Cathay Pacific Airways aircraft landed at Vancouver International Airport at 1:05 in the morning, Pacific standard time, without further incident.

The TSB investigation identified two safety deficiencies requiring action. They pertain to documentation in engine maintenance manuals and improvements to software programs governing engine electronic control units (ECUs). To address these deficiencies the Board recommends that:


The Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile and the Federal Aviation
Administration issue airworthiness directives to require the
implementation of all CFM56-5 series jet engine service bulletins
whose purpose is to incorporate software updates designed to ensure
that, in the event of a permanent magnet alternator failure, the
electronic control unit will revert to aircraft power.

The Department of Transport ensure the continued airworthiness of
Canadian-registered aircraft fitted with the CFM56-5 series engine by
developing an appropriate safety assurance strategy to make certain
that, in the event of a permanent magnet alternator failure, the
electronic control unit will revert to aircraft power.


The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.

Copies of this news release and final report A02P0261 are available on our Web site at http://www.tsb.gc.ca

Cathay move muddies alliance picture
Nicholas Ionides. Airline Business. London
Dec 2004. Vol. 20, Iss. 12

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways is to acquire 9.9% of Air China during its pending initial public offering in a surprise move that has the potential to change all assumptions about strategic alliance ambitions of the major Chinese carriers.

The tentative agreement caught financial analysts and industry observers off guard, as there had been no hint such a deal was even being discussed. It has long been assumed that flag carrier Air China will eventually join the Star Alliance, and its codeshare partner and founding Star member Lufthansa had been rumoured as a possible equity investor. Cathay is a member of the rival oneworld grouping, however, and that alliance would hope the deal keeps Air China out of Star.

Under the terms of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), Cathay will acquire the near 10% stake at the time of Air China's initial public offering (IPO), which is expected shortly. After the IPO Air China's shares will trade on the Hong Kong stock exchange and probably another international exchange such as London. Analysts estimate the stake may cost Cathay around $200 million.

Air China will be the last of the Chinese "big three" to be listed outside China, but the first to have another airline as a strategic investor. Both Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines and Guangzhou-based China Southern Airlines are traded in Hong Kong and New York. Some observers believe the Air China-Cathay deal will prompt the two other major carriers to seek foreign airline equity partners of their own.

If consummated, the deal will be regarded as a win-win partnership. Air China's IPO will immediately gain credibility as Cathay is an admired, conservative company that chooses its investments carefully. Air China can also draw on Cathay's expertise in management and onboard services. It already does the latter, as it recently agreed a deal under which it will send cabin crew recruits to Hong Kong for a year of training. Cathay has a similar tie-up with China Eastern.

Cathay and its main shareholder, UKcontrolled but Hong Kong-based conglomerate Swire Pacific, have been seeking to expand their ties with Chinese airlines, given the vast potential of the market. Cathay has had limited success, however, as its initial partnership target, China Eastern, rejected its advances.

Cathay flew to China until 1990 when it bought into Hong Kong's Dragonair and handed over all its mainland routes to this carrier. Although Cathay still has a minority stake, Dragonair has since come under the control of Chinese interests and focuses heavily on operations to the country, where passenger traffic is growing at double-digit percentage rates.

After a bitter public fight with Dragonair last year, Cathay managed to return to China, albeit with just three weekly flights to Beijing. It recently secured rights to increase that frequency to daily, but it especially wants passenger rights to serve Shanghai, which it cannot secure until late 2006 under a recently reviewed air services agreement. It clearly hopes a link with Air China will advance its ambitions and help it expand its China route network.

But Dragonair makes most of its money from China services and has sought to prevent Cathay from competing with it. Given that Cathay is a minority stakeholder with board representation, this highlights just how convoluted Hong Kong's aviation sector is in terms of ownership ties and vested interests (see box).

In part because of this complicated ownership scenario, it will be some time before the impact of the proposed Air China-Cathay partnership becomes clear - such as what this means for the world's alliances and, perhaps more importantly, for Dragonair and its future plans.

All three major alliances have been seeking a member in China for some time and the situation is shaping up towards Air China joining Star, China Eastern becoming a oneworld member and China Southern joining SkyTeam. China Southern recently signed a tentative agreement to join SkyTeam, but to date it is the only Chinese carrier to have committed to an alliance.

Air China and Cathay say their MoU "sets out the framework for discussing, among other things, the objective of exploring the opportunities for developing a close partnership and co-operation between the aviation and related businesses of Cathay Pacific and Air China in Hong Kong and mainland China".

They add: "The potential alignment of the networks of Cathay Pacific and Air China should assist in further developing and maintaining both Hong Kong airport and Beijing Capital airport as gateways to, and hubs for, mainland China."

Air China has close ties to several key members of Star, such as Lufthansa and United Airlines. It codeshares with both these airlines, as well as with smaller Star members, while Air China and Lufthansa are joint venture partners in maintenance company Ameco Beijing.

Star chief executive Jaan Albrecht says he is not concerned about the Air China-Cathay tie-up, insisting that Air China is still the preferred carrier to join the alliance and saying that operational relationships are separate from financial arrangements. Although anything is possible, for now Cathay's surprise move makes the picture anything but clear.

Hong Kong's tangled airline ownership web
- Cathay is more than 40%-owned by Swire and 25%-owned by China-backed Hong Kong-based conglomerate CITIC Pacific.
- Cathay, Swire and CITIC are direct minority shareholders in Dragonair, which counts another China-backed, Hong Kong-based company, China National Aviation (CNAC), as its biggest single shareholder, with 43%.
- CNAC is directly controlled by Air China, which in turn is controlled by CNAC's ultimate parent, Beijing's stateowned China National Aviation Holding.
- CITIC is a minority shareholder in Air China Cargo, which is majority owned by Air China.

Cathay Pacific has offered assistance to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami which hit the region Sunday, raising money through donations and carrying supplies and aid personnel to affected areas.

Between now and the end of March, all donations collected by the airline in-flight for the United Nations’ UNICEF “Change For Good” programme will support disaster relief efforts.

A collection has also been mounted among Cathay Pacific staff world-wide, the proceeds from which will go to the Red Cross.

Cathay Pacific has also agreed to help governments and charities ferry supplies to stricken areas. Two sniffer dogs and their handlers, offered by the French government, are already on their way from Paris to Colombo to help with search and rescue operations in Sri Lanka. Some 250 boxes of clothes donated by the Salvation Army in Hong Kong and 3,500 blankets donated by the airline are also being shipped.

Special ticketing arrangements have been made to enable to Cathay Pacific passengers already at or booked to fly to affected areas to change their flight schedule or obtain a ticket refund without charge.

This arrangement applies to Cathay Pacific services to Colombo, Surabaya and Penang and to passengers whose final destination on a connecting airline was Madras, Maldives, Phuket or Langkawi.

29 December 2004
Corporate Press Release
CABLE TV News to be broadcast on Cathay Pacific flights

Passengers on Cathay Pacific flights will have a new way of keeping tabs on the latest news from Hong Kong from January, as CABLE TV News is introduced on Studiocx, the airline’s inflight entertainment system.

Cathay Pacific Airways and Hong Kong Cable Television Limited have entered into a new agreement under which, beginning 1 January 2005, CABLE TV will supply Cathay Pacific with a daily edition of its news broadcasts in Cantonese, to be shown on the News and Sport channel on Studiocx.

The special inflight edition will be custom-produced for the airline and will contain edited highlights from CABLE TV’s newscasts each day. The bulletin will be delivered to Cathay Pacific on a daily basis for broadcast on its flights both departing and flying into Hong Kong.

Commenting on the latest co-operation between the two companies, Ronald Chiu, Vice President, News and Sports, CABLE TV, said: “We are proud to be able to provide the latest Chinese News to Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s biggest international airline. Passengers will be able to see the best of CABLE TV’s news programmes each day to keep them up to date on all the major happenings in Hong Kong.”

Cathay Pacific’s Manager Inflight Communication & Entertainment Grace Cheung said: “We are delighted to be able to offer all our passengers daily news updates in Cantonese from CABLE TV. This partnership further demonstrates our commitment to offer premium inflight entertainment services to our passengers.”

Cathay Pacific launches HK$1 million Tsunami disaster relief account and matches all staff donation


30 December 2004


Cathay Pacific Airways has contributed HK$1 million to a bank account set up specifically for the “Cathay Pacific Southeast Asia Disaster Relief Fund”. In addition, the airline will match all donations made by its staff in Hong Kong and overseas during the first month of the fund’s operation.

The fund was set up immediately in the aftermath of the tsunami tragedy of 26 December and already the airline’s staff have been contributing to help those in need. In just two days staff based at Cathay City, the airline’s headquarters in Hong Kong, donated more than HK$335,000.

Collections are being made in the airline’s offices in Hong Kong and around the world. All money collected will go directly to the Hong Kong Red Cross to help with that organisation’s relief efforts in the affected countries.

Cathay Pacific is also making contributions to the relief effort in other ways, including providing complementary transportation for the shipment of aid donated by the company and various charities. The airline’s Inflight Services Department has donated blankets while its Corporate Medical Department has teamed together with the company’s healthcare provider, Quality HealthCare Medical Services, to donate medical essentials.

The airline also encourages its passengers to contribute to the relief effort by donating to the UNICEF “Change for Good” fundraising programme. Between now and the end of March, all donations collected through “Change For Good” will go to help those affected by the disaster.

Cathay Pacific has made the following changes to the company’s senior management, effective 1 January 2005.

James Hughes-Hallett has taken up a new role in London as Chairman of John Swire & Sons Limited and has stepped down as Chairman of the Board of the airline, but remains a non-executive director.

David Turnbull has succeeded Mr. Hughes-Hallett as Chairman, Philip Chen has become Chief Executive to succeed Mr. Turnbull, and Tony Tyler has become Chief Operating Officer to succeed Mr. Chen.

Mr. Turnbull, aged 49, joined Swire in 1976 and has worked with the group in Australia, Dubai, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. He has been a director of Cathay Pacific since 1994, was appointed Managing Director in 1996 and Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of the airline in 1998.

Mr. Chen, aged 49, joined Swire in 1977 and has worked with the group in Hong Kong, Mainland China and the Asia Pacific region. He has been a director of the Cathay Pacific since 1997 and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 1998. He served as Chief Executive of Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Limited from 1994 to 1997.

Mr. Tyler, aged 49, joined Swire in 1977 and has worked with the group in Hong Kong, Australia, the Philippines, Canada, Japan, Italy and the United Kingdom. He has served as Director Corporate Development of the airline since 1996.

The directors of Cathay Pacific are: Executive Directors: Robert Atkinson, Philip Chen, Derek Cridland and Tony Tyler. Non-Executive Directors: James Hughes-Hallett, Martin Cubbon, Henry Fan, Vernon Moore, Sir Adrian Swire, David Turnbull, Raymond Yuen, Carl Yung and Zhang Xianlin. Independent Non-Executive Directors: Peter Lee, Raymond Or, Jack So and Tung Chee Chen.

January 4, 2005

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific Airways is planning to expand its work force by 10 percent this year, the airline's CEO said on Tuesday.

Cathay, which has 15,000 employees, will hire 1,500 more people this year, including pilots and flight attendants, Philip Chen, the firm's new chief executive told reporters. Of the new hires, about 1,100 jobs will be Hong Kong-based.

Separately, Chen said it was too early to gauge how hard the airline's business would be hit by the tsunami catastrophe that struck many coastal areas in South Asia. Cathay does not operate flights to Phuket in Thailand, one of the most badly affected tourist areas to be hit by the disaster.

"I won't say there's no impact," Chen said. "But we'll have to wait until people in the United States and Europe return to their offices after the holiday to see how bookings are affected."

(Reuters

Cathay Pacific to create 1,550 jobs as it resumes Shanghai cargo flights
5 January 2005

HONG KONG, Jan 5 (AFP) - Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific said Wednesday it will create 1,550 jobs as it resumes cargo flights to China's commercial hub of Shanghai at the end of the month after a 15-year absence.

"It's part of our expansion. We have launched new routes and have more new planes. The company is growing," a company spokeswoman said.

With nine new aircraft scheduled for delivery this year, Cathay Pacific said it will employ 1,550 more staff with most of them cabin crew, and the remainder pilots and ground staff.

The company regained the rights for the Shanghai route after the government awarded it 12 weekly cargo flights under a Sino-Hong Kong aviation pact agreed last year.

The airline had abandoned the Chinese market in 1990 to the benefit of its then-subsidiary Hong Kong Dragonair.

New chief executive details plans for fleet expansion, with service to Moscow
Joseph Lo and Russell Barling
5 January 2005
South China Morning Post

With nine new aircraft scheduled for delivery this year and fresh routes scheduled, including an inaugural flight to Moscow, Cathay will raise staff levels about 10 per cent. Hiring plans call for an additional 1,200 cabin crew, 150 pilots and 200 ground staff.

Meanwhile, Shanghai cargo flights would "be launched by the end of this month barring any regulatory hurdles", Mr Chen said.

Cathay gained the right to re-enter the Shanghai market after the government awarded it 12 of the 15 weekly cargo flights negotiated in the Sino-Hong Kong air services agreement last year.

The airline had abandoned the mainland market in 1990 to the benefit of its then-subsidiary Hong Kong Dragon Airlines.

Air-freight industry sources said Cathay had set January 27 as the launch date for the Shanghai cargo service. The carrier would fly one daily service with Boeing 747 freighters between Hong Kong and Shanghai for the first few months, with plans to introduce the remaining five frequencies in mid-March, using a smaller Airbus.

The Airbus aircraft would probably be sourced through a wet-lease agreement from Air Hong Kong, a joint venture between Cathay and freight carrier DHL.

DHL and Dragonair have a separate agreement to fly express freight between Hong Kong and Shanghai but the contract is understood to end in mid-June.

Sources also said Cathay was considering the use of China Eastern Airlines as its ground handling agent in Shanghai.

Mr Chen would not comment on Cathay's plans for the mainland, saying only that "our long-term goal is to make Hong Kong the premier southern gateway to China".

06 January 2005
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific wins award for providing a smoke-free workplace at its Hong Kong Headquarters

Cathay Pacific Airways today received a Grand Award from the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) for providing a smoke-free environment for its employees. The recognition came at the Hong Kong Smoke Free Workplace Leading Company Awards 2004, organised by COSH in conjunction with Radio Television Hong Kong.

When Cathay City, the airline’s Hong Kong headquarters, opened in 1998, all internal spaces - including offices, eating areas, meeting rooms and the complex’s main thoroughfare, The Street – were designated as no-smoking areas. Prominent signage throughout Cathay City highlights the fact that lighting up in the building is off limits.

The airline’s no-smoking policy also extends to all of its flights, which have been completely smoke-free since October 1998.

Cathay Pacific’s Environmental Services Manager Linden Coppell said: “We are very pleased to receive this recognition from COSH. At Cathay City we have made a big effort to provide a safe, clean and comfortable working environment for our staff in Hong Kong, which includes a strict no-smoking policy within the building.”

The airline closely monitors indoor air quality at Cathay City, and was recently granted Indoor Air Quality Certification under the scheme run by the Hong Kong Government. Certification was granted following a detailed monitoring of air quality throughout the facility.

COSH Chairman Dr Homer Tso says that as a leading local brand and employer, Cathay Pacific is setting a good example through its no-smoking policy. “Being a responsible employer, Cathay Pacific provides a healthy, safe working environment for its staff and also a comfortable smoke-free environment for passengers on its flights. The number of people benefiting from this has a huge impact on society,” says Dr Tso.

07 January 2005
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific helps Hong Kong Government deliver relief supplies to Indonesia

Cathay Pacific Airways will tomorrow (8 January) fly a Boeing 747 freighter full of relief supplies to Jakarta free of charge to help the Hong Kong Government deliver is second consignment of aid to Indonesia. The shipment includes bottles of drinking water, tents, blankets and torches.

Accepting the supplies on behalf of Indonesian Government at Hong Kong International Airport, Consul-General of Indonesian Consulate in Hong Kong, Mr. Paiman Turnip, expressed his country’s gratitude for the positive and proactive response shown by the Hong Kong SAR Government, and thanked Cathay Pacific for its support that has made the speedy delivery possible.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Corporate Communication Alan Wong said: “Cathay Pacific has close links with all of the countries affected and we are pleased to help in any way that we can. Operating a free freighter on behalf of the Hong Kong SAR Government helps send a message of sympathy and support from the Hong Kong people.”

Cathay Pacific’s other efforts to support relief and reconstruction efforts in countries devastated by last month’s earthquake and tsunami include kick-starting the “Cathay Pacific Southeast Asia Disaster Relief Fund” with HK$1 million and matching dollar-for-dollar donations made by staff. Money so far collected tops HK$5 million. Proceeds go the Hong Kong Red Cross.

For the next three months, inflight collections the United Nations’ UNICEF “Change For Good” programme will support disaster relief efforts. Other free-of-charge cargo shipments and ticket donations have been made to get aid workers and supplies to affected areas.

By AN888 @ HKADB :

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Hong Kong to send second batch of relief supplies to Indonesia
7 January 2005
BBC

Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency)

Hong Kong, 7 January: The second consignment of relief supplies from Hong Kong has been arranged for direct flight to Jakarta, Indonesia, by air Saturday [8 January], a government press release said here Friday.

Upon direct appeal by the Indonesian government, the consignment includes 76 tons of emergency supplies including bottles of drinking water, tents, blankets and torches.

The emergency supplies of public health items to the Thai government were sent on 1 January.

The freight is scheduled for arriving at Jakarta early Saturday morning.

Free freight arrangement was generously offered by the Cathay Pacific Airways (CPA) and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL).

In taking over the consignment on behalf of the Indonesian government, Consul-General of the Indonesian Consulate in Hong Kong Paiman Turnip expressed gratitude to the positive and proactive response of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government. He also thanked the Cathay Pacific Airways and HACTL for their public-spirited offers that have made the speedy delivery possible.

The HKSAR government is also liaising closely with official representatives of the governments of other affected countries to ascertain their needs and to map out practical arrangements with a view to providing emergency aid to the victims in a timely manner.

The direct shipments at the government to government level have been made possible under a special mechanism set up by the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) Advisory Committee for this major disaster. The special mechanism enables the HKSAR government to respond expeditiously to direct appeals from governments of the affected countries. A total of 8m Hong Kong dollars (1.03m US dollars) has been earmarked for this purpose.

Cathay is another name of China in Latin, coined by Marco Polo, right?

Marco Polo wrote about Cathay, but the name was already used before, so it didn't appear for the first time in his works.

By jzs @ HKADB :

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國泰機師南非潛水遇溺

定 居 本 港 的 澳 洲 籍 洞 穴 潛 水 高 手 在 南 非 潛 水 失 蹤 ， 當 地 警 方 恐 他 已 遇 溺 。 曾 打破 深 水 潛 水 世 界 紀 錄 的 Dave Shaw 前 日 潛 入 南 非 最 深 淡 水 洞 ， 圖 打 撈 十 年 前 遇 溺 的潛 水 員 骸 骨 ， 但 反 而 在 二 百 七 十 米 深 水 底 與 地 面 失 聯 絡 。 Dave 在 港 定 居 近 十 六 年， 現 職 國 泰 檢 查 及 訓 練 部 機 長 ， 其 妻 是 德 瑞 國 際 學 校 副 校 長 ， 兩 名 子 女 均 住 澳 洲 。

據 外 電 報 道 ， Dave 去 年 十 月 刷 新 深 潛 的 世 界 紀 錄 時 ， 在 南 非 Boeamansgat 洞 內 赫 然 發 現 一 九 九 四 年 失 蹤 的 年 輕 潛 水 員 Deon Dreyer 骸 骨 。 今 年 Dave 與 一 批 潛 水 拍 檔 組 成 打 撈 隊 ， 嘗 試 將 骸 骨 撈 上 水 面 ， 可 是 當 其 他 潛 水 員 返 回水 面 後 ， 卻 發 現 正 準 備 上 水 的 Dave 潛 到 二 百 七 十 米 水 深 後 在 水 底 消 失 ， 他 原 本 預計 在 該 深 度 可 接 觸 到 Deon 的 骸 骨 。

Dave 的 一 名 潛 水 拍 檔 其 後 在 水 底 嘗 試 尋 找 他 ， 卻 未 能 確 定 其 位 置 ， 遂 立 即 報 警 求助 。 當 地 警 方 到 場 後 ， 認 為 危 險 性 太 高 ， 根 本 不 可 能 潛 入 洞 內 搜 查 。 南 非 新 聞 聯 合社 引 述 警 方 現 場 的 潛 水 員 指 他 已 溺 斃 ， 南 非 警 方 指 他 生 還 的 機 會 很 微 。

疑 呼 吸 器 出 問 題 肇 禍
Dave 三 個 多 月 前 在 該 洞 創 下 九 小 時 內 深 潛 二 百 七 十 一 米 水 深 的 紀 錄 ， 約 等 同 八 十 層 樓 的 高 度 ， 事 更 刊 登 在 國 泰 內 部 刊 物 《 國 泰 天 地 》 上 。 國 泰 發 言 人 昨 回 應 時 稱 ， 為 尊 重 其 家 人 的意 願 ， 暫 只 能 證 實 有 一 名 公 司 職 員 失 蹤 ， 南 非 警 方 正 進 行 調 查 ， 有 同 事 現 正 陪 同 其家 人 。 Dave 在 其 網 頁 上 稱 ， 他 及 隊 員 ○ 四 年 十 月 已 開 始 計 畫 這 個 打 撈 任 務 ， 更 形容 今 次 潛 水 是 獨 一 無 二 及 偉 大 的 行 動 。

澳 洲 洞 穴 潛 水 學 會 主 席 麥 當 勞 稱， 二 百 米 以 下 水 底 非 常 危 險 ， Dave 的 呼 吸 器 可 能 出 問 題 。 他 指 深 潛 的 潛 水 員 需 要混 和 不 同 比 例 的 氣 體 呼 吸 ， 因 純 氧 氣 對 人 體 有 害 ， 而 氮 氣 在 他 身 處 的 深 度 亦 會 起 麻醉 作 用 ， 在 該 深 度 如 Dave 失 去 知 覺 便 不 能 自 救 。

'There was always a chance he wouldn't come back'
Simon Parry
11 January 2005
South China Morning Post

The wife of a Cathay Pacific pilot who died on a mercy mission in one of the world's deepest underwater caves said she had long faced the possibility of her husband's death.

"There was always a chance he wouldn't come back one day. It is something I have always known I might one day have to face," Ann Shaw said yesterday.

Australian Dave Shaw, who holds the world record for deep-cave diving, failed to return on Saturday after swimming 270 metres down into a cave in South Africa to try to retrieve the body of a diver who disappeared there in 1994.

The 50-year-old father of two, who had worked in Hong Kong since 1989, first located the body of 20-year-old Deon Dreyer when he dived into treacherous Boesmansgat, or Bushman's Cave, in the Kalahari desert last October, while breaking his own world record for deep-cave diving.

Mr Dreyer's family then appealed to him to go back into the cave and retrieve their son's body.

Shaw returned with a nine-member team of international divers as support but - after diving down to 270 metres using special equipment that recycles air - he failed to make it back to a checkpoint 50 metres closer to the surface.

Mrs Shaw, the deputy principal at Hong Kong's German-Swiss International School, yesterday described her husband's hobby as "unforgiving".

"He always did like a challenge," she said of his last mission. "Dave was meticulous. He always planned for equipment failures and things like that - but the unexpected happens and something he couldn't plan for must have happened. We will probably never know exactly what went wrong."

Mrs Shaw said of her husband's passion for deep-cave diving: "I never tried to talk him out of it. We have been married for 30 years. I knew what he was like, I knew this sort of thing gave him so much enjoyment.

"I couldn't keep him tied down. He was like a bird. You put a bird in a cage or you let it fly free. If you put him in a cage, he is never really happy. Having him fly free was always a risk."

Shaw, a training pilot who flew Airbues for Cathay, began diving when his son Steven, now 23, took his PADI scuba course.

"Dave thought it was something they could do together, but he found that kind of diving fairly unchallenging. He liked to go where other people couldn't go," Mrs Shaw said.

"Most of the time, we had an unspoken agreement that he would tell me things when he got back from a dive - after he did it.

"This time, I knew what he was doing beforehand. In many ways this was far safer than some of the other dives because there was so much support.

"But, of course, when he got down to 270 metres, there was only him and he knew that. Dave told me that with this sort of diving, if something goes wrong, you have to rely on yourself because if you rely on someone else you will have two deaths."

Before making his final dive, Shaw insisted that no one should go down to try to retrieve him if anything went wrong. Mrs Shaw said she realised her husband's body would probably never be retrieved because it was at such a depth, but said that did not trouble her. "It's not him; it's just his body," she said.

11 January 2005
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific launches daily Shanghai freighter services

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that it will launch daily freighter services to Shanghai from 27 January 2005, further expanding the airline’s Mainland network and strengthening Hong Kong as the predominant gateway to the Mainland.

Shanghai will be the second Mainland city that Cathay Pacific serves. The airline resumed passenger services to Beijing on 2 December 2003 after a break of 13 years, and now operates daily services to the capital city. Cathay Pacific has also been allocated rights upon designation to operate three weekly passenger services to Xiamen and will launch services in late February 2005, subject to operational requirements.

Cathay Pacific Director and General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: "Cathay Pacific's new freighter service will connect China's biggest commercial centres and provide direct links across the Cathay Pacific network from Shanghai to destinations throughout the region and beyond to major markets in Europe and North America. The service will further strengthen Hong Kong as a global logistics hub and gateway to the Mainland and we plan to add additional freighter frequencies to Shanghai in the near future”

The daily freighter services to Shanghai will be operated by a B747-200 freighter aircraft.

South China Morning Post
January 10, 2005
Cathay chief steers bold course; The first Chinese head of Hong Kong's iconic carrier leads the airline through a fiercely competitive era in aviation
Joseph Lo

AT A RECENT CONFERENCE, a panel of senior local business leaders was asked to pontificate on the future of Hong Kong over the next 100 years.

Most had considered themes and well-prepared scripts. The exception was a senior aviation executive whose contribution was noted for its self-confident delivery, yet near complete absence of content.

The executive's public poise and good humour enabled him to sail through a performance that is cannon fodder for most corporate bosses.

In this case, the audience left the event none the wiser about his personal opinions but would have been aware they were listening to a true professional.

The new boss of Cathay Pacific Airways, Philip Chen Nan-lok, is a hard man to pin down. His professional record is impressive, while his youthful bonhomie makes him a new breed of boss for Hong Kong's dominant airline.

He inspires powerful responses, yet - as in the case of the conference delegates - it is hard to know when you are getting the real thing.

While Mr Chen was unavailable for this article, there is no shortage of opinion as to what makes him run. Some point to thinly disguised political ambitions while others reckon his drive for success partly stems from his relatively humble beginnings, which contrast with those of his wife, who comes from a well-heeled family.

Mr Chen inspires praise and criticism in equal measure. There is envy of his fabulously fast-tracked career but praise for his inspiring business leadership is equally commonplace.

"There's always a lot of jealousy when someone does well. And Philip is one of the most driven, ambitious people I know. He's also smart as a whip," one of his admirers said.

Having joined the Swire group in 1977 as a management trainee, he climbed progressively up the corporate ladder, emerging as a director of Cathay Pacific in 1997 and taking on the chief operating officer role a year later.

Perhaps the seminal event of Mr Chen's career was his appointment in 1990 to Dragonair, which at the time was a struggling start-up airline that flew short-haul routes.

"Philip did a fantastic job at Dragonair. He didn't just turn it around as a subsidiary of Cathay, he made it possible for that airline to be extremely profitable and capable of standing on its own feet," the admirer said.

"People are always envious of success and Philip has had a lot of it during his career. But he's always been there for the community - which is more than you could say for a lot of other successful business people in this city," another of Mr Chen's admirers said.

The first ethnic Chinese head of Hong Kong's iconic global brand has acquired numerous badges of success, including a Justice of the Peace appointment and a Silver Bauhinia Star award.

The list of charitable activities and community work that Mr Chen is involved in is a long one that ranges from anti-corruption work with the Independent Commission Against Corruption to involvement with educational institutions.

Mr Chen, who graduated from the University of Hong Kong, is a member of the school's grants committee, serves on the advisory committee of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's business school, and is a trustee of the Friends of Tsinghua University Law School Charitable Trust.

However, Cathay has also seen its fair share of infighting - both within the management ranks as well as with staff. Mr Chen seems to have navigated this struggle well but has picked up detractors along the way.

One former Cathay manager who worked closely with Mr Chen during the 1990s noted: "He is a Janus-faced individual. Have you ever seen him without the plastic smile that he feeds the public? Well, I have and it's not pretty."

The manager, who readily admits to past professional differences with Mr Chen, said that he had carefully surrounded himself with a clique of supporters within the company who advised him and helped protect his every move.

"Either you're with him or you're against him. There's no middle ground," he said.

Given Cathay's mainland ambitions, it was perhaps inevitable that Cathay would appoint a Chinese person to the chief executive job chosen from the relatively small phalanx of local executives that entered the firm in the 1970s.

One high-profile British executive, who is intimately familiar with both Mr Chen and Swire, said that three Chinese executives of Mr Chen's generation had been identified early in their careers as future Cathay leaders. Of these three individuals, only Mr Chen remains with Swire.

Stanley Hui Hon-chung, resigned from Cathay in the mid-1990s to lead a semi -independent Dragonair (Cathay remains one of its major shareholders) while Linus Cheung Wing-lam left Swire for Hongkong Telecom, the predecessor of PCCW, in which he later served as deputy chairman.

"Philip is a steady airline manager, but Stanley and Linus were very well thought of too," the manager said. "It was a real shock when Linus left Swire and the airline industry for Hongkong Telecom," he said. "If all three remained in Swire, it would have been tough to pick out a new chief executive."

Looking forward, Cathay is on the cusp of an era of immense opportunity. Having grown in the 1990s, it is now a major world-class airline renowned for its safety record and excellence and customer service.

This was achieved against a backdrop of explosive economic growth and a regulatory regime favouring domestic carriers. The emergence of low-cost carriers and a changed environment at a soon-to-be privatised Chek Lap Kok airport change those dynamics. Fortunately for Mr Chen, his predecessor - now the company chairman - oversaw painful staff relations disputes that will likely play out for some years to come.

The biggest challenge he faces is likely to be making the mainland market work and convincing a cash-strapped government that what is good for Cathay Pacific is good for Hong Kong.

Biography

Philip Chen, 49, joined Swire as a graduate trainee in 1977. From 1989 to 1992, he was based in Beijing as the general manager of Swire China. He went on to become regional general manager of Southeast Asia for Cathay Pacific, based in Singapore, in 1992. Mr Chen served as chief executive of Dragonair from 1994 to 1997 before being appointed chief operating officer in 1998.

A graduate of the University of Hong Kong, he was employed by the school from 1984 to 1988, during which he was in charge of the MBA programme's marketing module. He is a member of the university's grants committee and also serves on the advisory committee of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's business school. Mr Chen is married with two children.

12 January 2005
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific releases December 2004 traffic figures

Cathay Pacific Airways today released traffic figures for December 2004 that show passenger and cargo volumes peaked with the advent of the Christmas holidays and new records for the year as a whole as the airline introduced new flights and capacity.

The airline carried 1,272,982 passengers in December, up from 1,187,548 passengers in November as leisure traffic hit its season high ahead of Christmas. December also saw a new capacity record, measured in terms of Available Seat Kilometres, or ASKs, as additional winter schedule services and holiday flights broke the previous record set in August 2004.

Traffic was little affected by the 26 December Indian Ocean tsunami as most holiday travellers had already reached their destination by that time.

The pre-Christmas cargo peak lasted a little longer than usual, right up to the start of the holidays. The airline carried 83,148 tonnes, down slightly from 86,933 shipped in November. The average cargo load factor dipped slightly to 68.2 percent.

Cathay Pacific set new records in 2004, carrying 13,663,958 passengers and 972,416 tonnes of freight over the 12-month period. The airline increased passenger and cargo capacity, with new and more frequent services to cities including Beijing, Sydney, New York and Moscow. Three wet-lease freighter aircraft boosted the cargo fleet. Cathay Pacific takes delivery of a new B747-400 freighter next month.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales & Distribution Ian Shiu said: “December was a good month ending a great year. Strong passenger numbers were supported by additional regional and long-haul services which strengthened our ability to generate connecting traffic through our hub in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s position as a gateway to the Mainland will be further enhanced with the launch of a new service to Xiamen and double daily services to Beijing later this year.”

Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: “Cargo growth continued to be driven by demand for exports from Southern China. Congestion in US West Coast seaports helped to boost demand for air cargo services as well. Business on trunk routes from Hong Kong to the United States, Europe and Japan remained strong throughout the year. Our service will be further improved with a new daily freighter service to Shanghai."

Traffic Details (http://www.cathaypacific.com/intl/aboutus/press/0,3845,31342-114647,00.html)

13 January 2005
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific to commence services to Xiamen

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that it intends to commence passenger services to Xiamen from 28 February 2005.The airline will operate three return services a week, departing Hong Kong and Xiamen every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Cathay Pacific resumed services to Beijing with three weekly flights on 2 December 2003 after a break of 13 years, and upgraded to a daily service last month. The airline has also been granted rights to operate a second daily service to Beijing from the start of the Summer 2005 season. Two days ago, the airline announced it intends to operate a daily freighter service to Shanghai from 27 January 2005.

With more services the airline will be able to strengthen Hong Kong as a global hub and gateway to the Mainland by creating more of the same-carrier connections across its international network that customers prefer.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Sales Hong Kong & China Clement Lam said: “Xiamen has long held strong overseas connections. With three new weekly services to the city, Cathay Pacific will offer passengers greater choice in providing same-carrier connections through Hong Kong to points across the region and up to 90 destinations around the world. Our service will further strengthen Hong Kong as a global gateway to the Chinese Mainland, especially Fujian province.”

Dead diver fulfils his last mission; Pilot found 20m from cave's surface with remains of earlier victim
Simon Parry
14 January 2005
South China Morning Post

The final mission of Hong Kong deep-cave diver Dave Shaw has reached an emotional conclusion, with his body being recovered strapped to the remains of the young man he had promised to return to his parents.

Four days after he went missing, Australian Cathay Pacific pilot Shaw, 50, was found just 20 metres from the surface with the remains of diver Deon Dreyer, which he attempted to recover from the foot of the 282-metre-deep cave in South Africa on Saturday.

Shaw had asked that no attempt be made to recover his body if the mission went wrong. After his disappearance, his wife, Ann, said she was content for Boesmansgat, one of the world's deepest freshwater caves, to be his final resting place.

Footage from a video camera strapped to Shaw's helmet reportedly shows he got tangled in lines and equipment as he worked to recover the body of the 20-year-old diver, and was unable to cut himself loose before his oxygen ran out.

The bodies of Shaw and Dreyer, who died in a 1994 diving accident, are believed to have floated towards the surface as police divers worked to pull up equipment used in Saturday's mercy mission. Shaw discovered Dreyer's remains during a deep-diving world record attempt in October. Unable to free him because his air tanks were lodged in silt at the foot of the cave, he promised Dreyer's parents to return to retrieve the body.

Working with nine international divers, he had just five minutes to release Dreyer's body before taking it up to a colleague at 220 metres. However, he appears to have died after getting tangled in equipment and running out of oxygen.

"On the [video] tape, you can hear Dave breathing harder and harder and harder. Then there's silence," team member Peter Herbst was quoted as saying in a South African newspaper. "He'd got to the body and was working {hellip} It looks like he ran out of time.

"It looks like he tried to give up and get out but he got entangled in the cave line. He kept trying to cut the line, but he couldn't."

Mrs Shaw received a late-night call on Wednesday to tell her that her husband's body had been recovered. She said the news had come as "a great shock".

"This was something I had neither expected nor wanted," Mrs Shaw said yesterday. "However, I hope that this will bring comfort and completion to both families. I would like to thank the many, many people here in Hong Kong, in Australia, in South Africa and other parts of the world for their prayerful support and kind words of comfort - many people that I know and love, but also many others that I have never met.

"There is a big hole in my heart which will take a long time to heal, but I am reminded of the words to Joshua in the Bible: 'Do not be discouraged or afraid, for I the Lord your God am with you wherever you go'. This has been the case in the past, and I know it will be the case in the future."

A memorial service will be held for Shaw at St Andrew's Church in Kowloon at 4pm next Friday.

Goodbye Dave.

Friday January 14, 5:21 PM
Hong Kong-bound Cathay Pacific plane from Los Angeles lands in Taipei after developing engine problem

A Hong Kong-bound Cathay Pacific Airways flight from Los Angeles was diverted to Taiwan after developing engine trouble, but no injuries were reported, the airline said Friday.

Flight CX883 carrying 220 passengers landed in Taipei on Wednesday after its No. 4 engine showed fluctuating readings, forcing the pilot to shut it down, Cathay's spokeswoman Carolyn Leung said.

The incident was revealed Friday by the Apple Daily newspaper, which said it was the fourth incident involving one of Cathay's Boeing 747-400 jets in recent months. The airline had been forced to abort several flights because of engine troubles.

Leung said the pilot of Flight CX883 landed in Taipei because the plane would use more fuel operating on three engines and thought it might not have enough fuel to reach Hong Kong.

Leung said the passengers were transferred to another Cathay jet and flew back to Hong Kong on Wednesday morning _ two hours later than scheduled.

She said the airline was still investigating the problem.

The Civil Aviation Department had ordered Cathay to inspect all of its 24 Boeing 747-400 jets after one London-bound flight was forced to return to Hong Kong last September with engine trouble. Cathay later said it found problems with the fuel exhaust pipes on 27 jet engines, which were then repaired or replaced.

Civil Aviation Department spokeswoman Stella Tse said Friday Cathay has not yet submitted a report about its findings to the government.

Last month, the airline said it was suspending flights of four of its 10 Boeing 777-300 jets after an engine part fell off one of them and smashed onto a car as the plane flew over Thailand.

Rising to the occasion
Cathay Pacific looks forward to another uplifting year in the region
13 January 2005
South China Morning Post

IT IS A SUCCESS story Hong Kong people sometimes almost take for granted: one million passengers a month and growing, 1,300 flights a week and climbing, and 17 new aircraft worth about US$1.7 billion on order to cope with unparalleled expansion.

"This past year we think is one of the best years Cathay Pacific has ever seen," said Ian Shiu, general manager for revenue management, sales and distribution. "Each month has been a record-breaking month."

Chief operating officer Tony Tyler said news of Cathay's triumphs and huge new aircraft orders were unlikely to raise eyebrows in its home city. "It is just another day's work for Cathay, and people sometimes don't understand quite what commitments we are taking on.

"We are on our own. We are not subsidised by any government. We live on our wits, and the capital we have accrued over the years - financial, human and intellectual - is what we've got going for us. This is just a great company to have the privilege of being a senior manager for.

"The staff at Cathay have done a fantastic job during Sars and since. We are doing what we are doing now because we have complete confidence in the ability of Hong Kong to thrive as a hub. We are bullish about the future of this place."

Less than two years after the Sars crisis, the airline is already in the midst of one of the biggest periods of expansion in its history. And the next 12 months will be critical to its mission of reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a global passenger and cargo hub.

Expanding the airline's network of flights in and out of the mainland is a key to that mission, and by the summer there will be twice daily flights to Beijing and regular flights to Shanghai and Xiamen.

Extending the network of flights will also strengthen Hong Kong's position as a hub by allowing people to catch timely connections to major Chinese cities from around the world via Hong Kong.

It will also allow increasing numbers of mainland passengers heading for other destinations to fly through Hong Kong in the same way that many Japanese passengers already travel via Chek Lap Kok.

Cargo as well as passenger traffic is already playing a key role in Cathay's expansion, which now accounts for a third of Cathay's business.

"Both passenger and cargo sides are going very well. We are seeing very strong growth. We are going to be adding capacity of 10 to 12 per cent this year on top of quite aggressive growth last year. We just have to hope it continues."

Challenges lie ahead this year, however - not least the arrival of the new Guangzhou airport which, in the long-term, could potentially offer passengers the chance to bypass Hong Kong. Mr Tyler insisted that although Guangzhou presented a challenge, it did not represent an immediate threat.

"Hong Kong has more flights to Bangkok in a day than Guangzhou has in a week. There is almost no scheduled service between Guangzhou and Europe. Lufthansa and Air France have just started but that is about it. Hong Kong has a massive advantage.

"Hong Kong is the hare and Guangzhou is the tortoise, and the hare is well ahead. But we have got to keep the hare running - there can be no resting for the hare. Everyone involved is absolutely aware of that." Red Door News

suspending 10 Boeing 777, the service must be greatly affected.

16 January 2005
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific stages walk-in day to recruit cabin crew

Cathay Pacific Airways today kicked off its 2005 recruitment drive with a Walk-in Day for flight attendants. Candidates interviewed for the opportunity to become a member of the cabin crew team that has helped to make Hong Kong's home airline an international leader.

Cathay Pacific has already announced that it will add 11 new aircraft to its fleet this year, creating 1,500 job opportunities – including 1,200 for cabin crew and 200 for ground staff – to support one of the airline’s fastest periods of growth in its almost 60-year history.

The airline is also adding new services and will launch a thrice-weekly flight to Xiamen from 28 February 2005, subject to approval, and operate a twice-daily service to Beijing later this year, strengthening connections between Hong Kong and the Mainland and Hong Kong’s position as a global hub.

Successful candidates will begin a 6-week training programme in April that will equip them with the knowledge and skills to deliver the standards of service for which the airline is renowned.

Cathay Pacific Manager Cabin Crew Shirley Au Yeung said: “Cathay Pacific creates a wide range of employment, training and career development opportunities, already employing more than 11,000 Hong Kong people. We are very encouraged by today’s turnout and expect to find some suitable candidates. But this is just the beginning. Our recruitment activities will continue throughout the year as we search for the right people to deliver our signature Service Straight From The Heart.”

Cathay Pacific recruited about 500 flight attendants in 2004.

From today's (17 Jan) HK press, CX may buy 5 Airbus A380s.

Chinese airlines to acquire 5 Airbus super jumbos
17 January 2005
Les Echos

According to yesterday's 'Sunday Times', Chinese airlines Air China and China Southern have ordered five Airbus A380 super jumbos between them and taken out an option on another five. Hong-Kong based Cathay Pacific has reportedly placed a similar order.

There have already been 139 firm orders for the A380 and 10 intentions to purchase. According to Airbus chairman Noel Forgeard, the super jumbo programme will produce its first profits in 2008. The project is costing more than 10bn euros to carry out.

18 January 2005
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific commences training for Air China cabin crew

Cathay Pacific Airways today welcomed the first batch of Air China cabin crew trainees to begin a 12-month training secondment with Cathay Pacific.

This follows an agreement reached in September last year, under which Cathay Pacific will train 80 Air China crew before they return to Beijing to resume their careers as flight attendants at their own airline. They will arrive at Cathay Pacific in four groups of 20. The second group will arrive later this year

The trainees will attend and need to pass a stringent induction training course undertaken by Cathay Pacific cabin crew recruits to learn about in-flight safety and service and communication skills. After seven weeks’ training, they will then work as regular uniformed crew on Cathay Pacific flights under the guidance of assigned mentors to gain practical experience.

The Air China training programme is similar to the one for China Eastern Airlines cabin crew started in November 2002. The first batch of 40 China Eastern trainees is about to complete their training with Cathay Pacific in May, with a second batch of 40 trainees due to arrive next month.

Cathay Pacific Career Development and Resourcing Manager Patton Chan said: “Both the Cathay Pacific and Air China crew stand to gain a great deal from the programme. Air China trainees will have a chance to learn more about the operating procedures, products and strategy of an international airline, and Cathay Pacific staff will be able to gain a better understanding of Chinese Mainland people and cultural sensitivities.”

The training arrangement builds on the longstanding relationship developed between Cathay Pacific and Mainland carriers. The airline has also been in cooperation with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in senior management training for the past 10 years. The training for senior managers aligns with the increasing demand for civil aviation management professionals and will facilitate an exchange of knowledge and experience that will help enhance each organisation’s international competitiveness.

Over the past decade 58 managers have been seconded to Cathay Pacific from CAAC, the North China Regional Administration and East China Regional Administration of CAAC, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, China Northern Airlines, China Xinjiang Airlines, China Yunnan Airlines, CNAC Zhejiang Airlines, China Southwest Airlines, China Northwest Airlines and the Civil Aviation University of China.

18 January 2005
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific to sponsor the International Chinese New Year Night Parade

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that it is proud to be the title sponsor of this year’s Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade – the centrepiece of Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year celebrations. This is the seventh year that the airline will sponsor the event, which has become a major international attraction and a Hong Kong family tradition.

On 9 February 2005, the first day of the Lunar New Year, the Cathay Pacific float will lead another 11 local and international floats accompanied by 29 performing groups from around the world to usher in the Year of Rooster. The parade will start at the Tamar Site in Admiralty and wind along the Wan Chai waterfront.

The theme of Cathay Pacific float this year will be “Flying from our home Hong Kong to the world”. The float will incorporate a Cathay Pacific aircraft, a globe, landmark Hong Kong buildings and Hong Kong International Airport, signifying the airline’s effort to connect Hong Kong to the world and strengthen the city as the global aviation hub.

As in previous years, more than 100 Cathay Pacific pilots, cabin crew and airport staff will join the parade. This year, staff and crew will reveal the airline’s new-look uniform to the public for the first time.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Philip Chen said: “Cathay Pacific is delighted to be the title sponsor of the International Chinese New Year Parade. Great cities over the world have signature parades. The Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Parade is truly unique to Hong Kong – not only as a great tourist attraction but also as part of a celebration that is special to everyone in Hong Kong. As Hong Kong’s airline, we are pleased to have the opportunity to take part and help bring performers and visitors from all over the world join in the festivities.”

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Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Philip Chen and Hong Kong Tourism Board Executive Director Clara Chong unveil the float designs of Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Tourism Board.

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Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Philip Chen announces details of the Parade and wishes everyone in Hong Kong a happy and prosperous New Year.

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Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Philip Chen and Hong Kong Tourism Board Executive Director Clara Chong, together with Mascot for Year of the Rooster, at the “2005 Cathay Pacific Chinese New Year Night Parade” Press Conference.

Cathay Pacific to extend fuel surcharges at a lower rate in Hong Kong
20 January 2005

HONG KONG (AP) - Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. said Thursday it will extend levies charged to passengers flying in or out of Hong Kong due to high oil prices, but will lower the surcharges by 40 percent.

Cathay will impose a surcharge of US$5.30 (euro4.10) on short-haul flights and US$15 (euro11.60) on long-haul flights between Feb. 1 and March 31 following approval from the government, the airline said in a statement.

The new fees represent a 40 percent reduction from the airline's current surcharges -- which will end Jan. 31 -- of US$9.20 (euro7.10) on short-haul flights and US$27 (euro20.90) on long-haul flights.

Hong Kong airlines are required to secure the approval of the Civil Aviation Department to levy fuel surcharges on passenger flights.

Lex live: Cathay Pacific.
17 January 2005
Financial Times (FT.Com)

This month will see the first direct flights between China and Taiwan since 1949. The temporary relaxation of the ban is a big step forward for Cross-Straits relations but a small step back for Cathay Pacific. The Hong Kong flag carrier, which has weathered numerous storms in recent years, owes its busiest route - between Hong Kong and Taiwan - to the ban on direct flights. Can it ride out this latest blow?

Much is in its favour. Cathay has emerged from a bumper year, flattered by comparison with the Sars-depressed 2003. It is finally prising open the Chinese market it was long denied, with regular flights and a 10 per cent stake in Air China, the mainland flag carrier. At the same time, its dependence on Taiwan is decreasing. The end of the duopoly on the lucrative Taipei-Hong Kong route has already cut Cathay's share of traffic from a half to just over a third of the total, and subsequent discounting has eroded tariffs. The route still accounts for an estimated 7-10 per cent of its revenues, but it should be able to recoup any further erosion through annual growth.

Even so, it is not all blue skies. Competition is growing; Hong Kong is one of the few corners of Asia yet to feel the impact of low cost carriers. Cathay's
low hedging makes it highly exposed to oil prices - just like its so-called 'riskier' rivals in China and Thailand. Cathay looks a better bet than its pricier Taiwanese peers, but investors should watch for the head winds.

January 21, 2005

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific Airways said on Friday that it will raise wage levels of Hong Kong-based ground staff by three percent in 2005 amid an improving job market.

Cathay and its local staff union, which represents 2,200 Hong Kong-based "Level A" ground staff, agreed a 7.5 percent pay rise spread over three years, the airline said in a statement.

Ground staff will get a 3 percent, 2.5 percent and 2 percent increase in 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively, it said.

Hong Kong's unemployment rate fell to 6.5 percent in October-December from 6.7 percent and compared to a peak of 8.7 in 2003 as a booming tourism sector created jobs in the retail and hospitality industries.

Many Hong Kong companies expect to offer small wage increases this year as the economy improves, a survey on pay levels showed.

(Reuters)

Cathay deal; offers 7.5pc; pay rise over; three years
Joseph Lo
22 January 2005
South China Morning Post

Cathay Pacific Airways will raise the salaries of 2,200 of its Hong Kong-based staff by 7.5 per cent over the next three years.

The airline, one of the city's largest employers, yesterday said that it had reached an agreement with its local staff union to increase salaries by 3 per cent this year, 2.5 per cent in 2006 and 2 per cent in 2007.

Cathay will also make a one-off lump sum payment of $6,000 to each eligible staff member.

The union represents locally based "Level A" ground staff, most of whom are in customer relations, baggage handling and other service-related jobs.

"Both parties agree that the three-year arrangement offers greater certainty to staff in terms of salary increases and also supports the airline's long-term growth plans," Cathay said.

The union said the deal "met the long-term interests of its members".

Under the deal, the union also agreed not to help staff members in legal cases against Cathay with regards to salary increases under the company's points scale system.

"The union has considered that keeping good relations with the company makes us more effective in fighting for our members' rights," it said.

"Litigation is not in the interests of the union, the company, our members and staff, as well as being a financial burden on the union."

However, Cathay said the system would be scrapped from this month, in favour of a percentage system for calculating future pay increments.

The pay deal comes just weeks after the airline said it planned to increase its workforce by about 10 per cent this year.

@ Vancouver by 97/98/99 B-Line from HKADB :

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Feel the Rush - Fly'n See Rugby World Cup Sevens 2005 Hong Kong

Experience one of the most exhilarating international sports events with the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2005 Hong Kong. Once again, Cathay Pacific is proud to be the Official Airline of this action-packed weekend that attracts visitors from all over the world.

There's nothing more thrilling than watching 24 teams of outstanding athletes battle it out for the championship title. Being in the midst of this adrenaline-charged environment, you'll certainly cheer and shout enthusiastically with the rest of the spectators - the excitement's contagious!

Dates : 18 –20 March, 2005

More information on fly and see packages from many countries worldwide :
http://www.cathaypacific.com/intl/offers/online/0,,31332-47005-112513,00.html

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Jealous husband denies Aussie diver's last wish
Gavin du Venage Cape Town, Simon Parry
25 January 2005
The Australian

CATHAY Pacific pilot Dave Shaw's dying wish to have his ashes scattered across the waters of the cave that claimed his life was refused by the cave's owner, who claims the Australian diver was having an affair with his wife.

Shaw died earlier this month attempting to retrieve the body of a diver from the depth of 270m at the bottom of the cave, the world's third-deepest. Shaw died soon after reaching the bottom but his body and that of Deon Dreyer floated to the surface a few days later, where the remains of both men were retrieved.

A front-page report in the Afrikaans-language broadsheet Rapport quotes Andries van Zyl, the 48-year-old owner of the land on which the Boesmansgat cave is located, saying that Shaw, 50, and van Zyl's wife Debbie, 42 were having a relationship that began last October.

Mr van Zyl said he would not permit Shaw's remains to be scattered on the waters of the cave -- something the diver had asked for should he not survive. Mr Van Zyl said the affair began when Shaw arrived on the farm last year to try and break the world deep-diving record.

It was during this descent that Shaw came across the remains of Dreyer on the bottom of the cave. Dreyer had died diving there in 1994.

In the days leading up to the record attempt, Shaw had stayed with Mr van Zyl and his wife at their farmhouse. Mr Van Zyl had to go away for a few days, leaving Shaw in the company of his wife. When he returned, Mr Van Zyl said, he immediately realised something was up.

"I suspected something when I returned and my wife began acting differently. She acted strangely towards me, hardly talking at all," Mr van Zyl said. "Debbie and Shaw began emailing each other, mails which she would immediately wipe from the computer. She was noticeably worried that I would read them."

In December Mrs van Zyl told him she wanted a divorce. Then in January, when Shaw set out to retrieve Dreyer's body, she waited anxiously for him to return to the surface. When she learned of his death she was devastated.

She told Rapport she and Shaw had had a "close friendship".

"I discussed my and Andries' problems with Dave and asked him for advice. Dave was my confidant."

However, Mr Shaw's widow Ann, 49, said yesterday any allegations of a relationship between her husband and Mrs van Zyl were "garbage".

She had not made a decision on what to do with her husband's ashes and no request had ever been made for them to be scattered at the cave.

Cathay offers $1m or job interview to sacked pilots
Simon Parry
25 January 2005
South China Morning Post

Cathay Pacific is offering payouts of about $1 million or the chance to reapply for jobs to pilots sacked during a 2001 industrial dispute - if they agree to drop legal action against the airline.

The offer of an out-of-court settlement to the group known as the "49ers" is the first of its kind in the bitter 31/2-year dispute and is being recommended to pilots by the Aircrew Officers Association, which negotiated the deal.

If it is accepted, the sacked pilots can either take a 10-month payout or an interview for a job as freighter pilots with Cathay, positions junior to those they previously held.

Any 49er who applies for a job will be subjected to psychological testing - a step proposed by the association - to make sure they do not hold a lasting grudge against the airline.

Fifty-one pilots were sacked by Cathay in July 2001, at the height of a dispute over pay and rosters which resulted in a work-to-rule campaign by association members. They are named for the 49 dismissed in one mass sacking.

Legal proceedings have been taken out against Cathay by sacked pilots in the US, Australia, Britain and Hong Kong, and the offer to pilots is conditional on the actions being dropped.

The 1,000-member Aircrew Officers Association, which has supported the 49ers financially and funded their lawsuits, is due to decide at an extraordinary general meeting on February 15 whether to approve Cathay's offer.

The offer has opened a heated debate within the association and among the 49ers over whether it should be accepted or whether the pilots should continue fighting their cases through the courts.

The five plaintiffs in the Australian case have written to association members, saying: "We beg you to continue to support our legal cases until we have a reasonable offer formally made to us or have our day in court."

One of the 49ers, Canada-based Steve Urquhart, 36, said he wanted to accept the offer and return to Hong Kong. "We could be bitter for the rest of our lives but I would rather put it behind me and go back to work," he said. "Hopefully in five years it will all be ancient history."

Association president Murray Gardner, recommending the offer to members, said: "This has been a difficult period in the history of industrial relations between the association and the management of Cathay Pacific.

"However, relations have improved markedly in the past two years and the priority of both parties now is to further improve the relationship, to help the airline grow and prosper and to safeguard the best interests of everyone."

Cathay's director of flight operations Nick Rhodes said Cathay's offer was a "full and final" one and if it was rejected the matter would be sorted out in the courts.

"There comes a time in any dispute when you have to move forward," he said. "We are very pleased the association is now run by a business-minded committee."

25 January 2005


Cathay Pacific is adding a fourth weekly flight to Perth, Australia, as part of the airline's plan to add more flights and destinations through the year as its fleet expands.

The new service, to start 2 April 2005, will bring to 52 the number of direct flights the airline operates to six cities in Australia each week.

The Saturday evening departure from Hong Kong will be the airline’s first weekend service to Perth. The return flight’s Sunday evening arrival in Hong Kong allows travellers to make the most of the approaching working week.

The service will be operated with a two-class Airbus 330-300. Cathay Pacific will acquire nine aircraft in 2005 and six more are due to arrive by 2007.

Cathay Pacific Airways Director Sales and Marketing James Barrington said: “Australia is a key market and the addition of a fourth weekly service to Perth will provide greater travel convenience to our passengers and underline Hong Kong’s strengthen as a global hub and gateway to the Chinese Mainland.”

Final approach
After a three-year industrial row, pilots are voting on a new deal offered by Hong Kong's flagship airline.
25 January 2005
South China Morning Post

There is no hiding the emotional baggage John Warham still carries three-and-a-half years after he was fired from his job as a senior Airbus captain at Cathay Pacific, just one of a group of pilots collectively known as the 49ers.

"How do you think it feels?" he replies sourly over drinks in a Kowloon bar. "If I hadn't been fired, I believe I would probably still be medically fit to fly and I would probably still be with my wife."

Mr Warham, 52, had been a Cathay pilot for 17 years and was five years short of retirement when he was sacked by the airline after the pilots began a work-to-rule action during a long-running dispute over working rosters.

The following year, he suffered a minor heart attack, leaving him medically unfit to fly. Six months ago, he split up with his wife. Mr Warham finds it impossible not to link the two events to his dismissal in July 2001.

"My career is finished," he said. "Had I still been employed by Cathay Pacific at the time of my heart attack, I would have received five years' pay under my loss of licence insurance. Because they fired me, I had no loss of licence insurance so I received nothing.

"I split up with my wife, the woman I had been with for 21 years. Who can say whether I would have had a heart attack or split up with my wife because of what Cathay did to me? But if you talk to anyone who knows about stress, they'll tell you it will have been a factor.

"Four years ago, I was a senior captain with a major airline. Now I don't have a career, I don't have my wife, and I am having to rebuild from the ground up.

"It's not just me. The same kind of thing has happened to many of the 49ers."

Much of Mr Warham's time since his sacking has been absorbed by an ongoing legal battle in four different jurisdictions by the 49ers. They are seeking to have Cathay's actions declared illegal and to win reinstatement for those willing to return and compensation for those unwilling or unable to.

Now, after lengthy negotiations between Cathay and the 1,000-member Aircrew Officers' Association, the airline has put forward an offer of either 10 months' pay or interviews for positions as freighter pilots. In return, the 49ers must drop their legal actions.

Association members have already begun voting on whether to endorse the deal, which is supported by the union committee and which Cathay insists is a full and final offer. If two thirds vote in favour of it, legal funding for the 49ers will be cut off.

The 49ers are being polled separately with results expected to be made known to association members on February 1. Mr Warham is confident that the 49ers will reject it and that the association members will not accept the deal if the 49ers oppose it.

Union sources, however, say they believe the voting will be much tighter with early estimations suggesting as many as a third of the 49ers will definitely accept it and another third are still considering whether or not to accept it.

Mr Warham, a former union president and negotiator, emphasised that he did not believe there was any schism within the association over the issue and said the union committee deserved credit for getting Cathay to the negotiating table. He just feels it is too soon to settle.

"My judgment call is that we should reject this offer and continue down our current path to negotiate a better deal," he said. "We have to ask ourselves whether 10 months' pay is fair and equitable treatment for men who have had their careers destroyed by the way Cathay has treated them.

"The resolution of the 49ers issue is critical to everyone being able to move forward. I am trying to be objective, but I have seen a friend of mine die [49er Greg England, 31, who died after falling from the window of a flat in Wan Chai in January 2002].

"I have seen friends of mine whose marriages have broken up. I have seen people's careers destroyed. I have seen people in terrible financial straits, people losing their houses, people unable to pursue their careers or get employment because they are effectively blacklisted. It is extremely emotive."

It is the high level of emotion surrounding the issue that, in the view of another 49er who supports the deal offer by Cathay, is blurring the judgment of people such as Mr Warham. "If they put their emotions to one side and sit down and look at what is on offer they would realise it is not a bad deal," he said.

The 32-year-old Vancouver-based pilot, who asked not to be named, said he wanted to accept the deal and would apply for a job back with Cathay Pacific. "In five years' time, I hope I will be a captain with Cathay," he said.

"When I was fired it was a huge shock. I had been with Cathay for five years and it was a career we all thought we would have until our retirement day. To be honest I have no idea to this day why I was picked out. I wasn't active with the union. I wasn't a militant guy. I think they were just trying to make a point.

"I did feel bad but it has been three-and-a-half years now and time has moved on. I am very interested in the offer. There are a couple of downsides but a lot of upside. It gives us a lot more than we have right now."

Since his sacking, the 32-year-old has married, become a father, and got a job with a budget airline. He says he has put his bad feelings towards Cathay over his sacking behind him and would like to rejoin the airline. "The job I have now is a means to an end," he said. "Working for Cathay Pacific is a career. It is a much bigger airline and it is a higher-paying job. I have made the decision to go back. I have to just accept what happened and move on.

"There are a lot of 49ers who have a lot of unrealistic expectations. Some of them want far more than Cathay Pacific will be willing to give, so they are disappointed with what has been offered. I think the offer is reasonable."

By contrast, another 49er keen to return to work for Cathay posted a message to colleagues on a pilots' website yesterday, urging them to reject the deal which he described as "punitive". "At the very least I deserve to be returned to my previous salary and position on the seniority list," he said. "I believe that Cathay will not go to court and that there will be a better offer."

Nick Rhodes, director of flight operations with Cathay Pacific, said it was not surprising the debate over the airline's settlement offer appeared to have reopened old wounds.

"There is still a level of emotion there," he said. "It polarises people. Some want to have their day in court. Some are very keen to accept the offer and have a chance of making a career with Cathay again."

He said the offer had come about because of a combination of an improved working relationship with the Aircrew Officers' Association and the financial strain of the drawn-out legal proceedings in different jurisdictions.

"We are dealing with a very different association and there is a very different committee which has a very business-minded approach and a real willingness to work with the company," Mr Rhodes said.

"The court cases meanwhile are taking a lot of time. We expected to have seen the court cases through to their conclusion, but it's been three-and-a-half years now and it looks as if it is going to be a similar time before they are concluded.

"There will be a lot of legal expenses on both sides so it makes sense to settle out of court if there is a fair deal on the table."

However, Mr Rhodes firmly brushed aside suggestions that Cathay might be prepared to up its offer if the pilots rejected it.

"It has taken us a long time to get to this point. It is a full and final offer from the company. It is definitely a final offer," he said.

"We are drawing a line now and offering to settle out of court. We are prepared to redirect some of the funds [that would otherwise be spent in court] and make what we consider to be a fair out of court settlement. If it is not taken the only option is to complete the legal process," Mr Rhodes said.

Mr Warham, who will never pilot a plane again but hopes to convince those who will to hold out for a better deal, refuses to believe Cathay Pacific's stand is anything more than a negotiating position.

"I have seen management doing 180s before," he said. "This deal is completely one-sided and aimed at satisfying Cathay's objectives. They don't want to go to court."

But another 49er, Canadian father of two Steve Urquhart, 36, says he does not want the union to gamble with his future. "It's not the deal I hoped for but it might be the last offer we get that involves the chance to get a job back with Cathay," he said.

"There is a lot of pressure from the 49ers who don't want this voted in. Of the 49ers who do want to accept it, some people aren't willing to speak up. Personally I will be very disappointed if I lose the opportunity to get my job back."

Cathay Pacific launches special airfare rates for DSF visitors
Jan. 24, 2005
http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Detailed/52595.html

In support of the much-celebrated Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), Cathay Pacific has introduced a special fare to attract more visitors from Mumbai to Dubai and experience the spectacular shopping fest, company officials announced yesterday.

'DSF is the biggest event of the year for both the retail and tourism sector. All important players in these industries stand to benefit from the influx of tourists coming here to partake in the festival. As such, we want to encourage more people to come to Dubai by offering special rates and help make DSF a truly successful event,' said Philip Herbert, Cathay Pacific Country Manager for UAE and Oman.

DSF stated that 3.1 million visitors arrived last year during the 32-day festival as per the latest records. This year, the government is expecting to top that record by 5% given the heavy promotions and assortment of activities lined up to entice shoppers from all over the world.

Dubai residents who wish to bring their family and friends for a shopping spree during DSF are seen to benefit from the promotional airfare introduced by the airline for the event.

Also, for local customers who plan to travel to other exciting destinations, Cathay Pacific has also announced its promotional fares for Bangkok, Manila, and Mumbai. The move to adjust prices to favorable fares underlines the airline's continued commitment in giving the Middle East travel market quality service and affordable packages.

In addition to the above-mentioned offers, Cathay Pacific has an ongoing promotion for travelers who wish to experience the ancient splendor of the majestic Beijing.

Cathay Pacific flies 13 times a week between Dubai and Hong Kong, with 7 direct flights, 2 services via Bahrain and 4 services via Mumbai and Bangkok.

28 January 2005
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific celebrates first freighter service to Shanghai

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Cathay Pacific Director and General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison together with the airline's cargo team celebrate the arrival of the airline's first freighter at Shanghai airport.

Cathay Pacific Airways this morning celebrated the success of its first freighter service to Shanghai. Flight CX050 departed Hong Kong at 11pm yesterday and arrived at Shanghai airport on schedule this morning. The airline’s first return service from Shanghai also arrived back in Hong Kong today.

The flight’s arrival marked an important milestone in Cathay Pacific’s ongoing effort to strengthen Hong Kong as a global logistics hub and gateway to the Chinese Mainland. The now daily Boeing 747-200F service will funnel goods through Hong Kong to and from major markets in Asia, the United States and Europe. The airline also plans to add additional freighter frequencies to Shanghai in the near future.

Shanghai joins Beijing as the second Mainland city that Cathay Pacific serves.
The network will extend to three cities when the airline launches a thrice-weekly passenger service to Xiamen at the end of February.

Cathay Pacific Director and General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: "With the launch of the new freighter service to Shanghai, we will connect the Mainland's commercial capital to destinations throughout our network and further strengthen Hong Kong as a global logistics hub and gateway to the Mainland. I would like to thank all of our staff whose hard work made the launch of our new service a smooth one.”

Hope to see its passenger service to Shanghai soon~~~