CX°/KA°/LD | Swire Group: Cathay Pacific/Dragonair/Air Hong Kong

[hala]

Lastest CX TV commercials launch in HK on Monday

The latest advertisements in the ongoing "People and Service" campaign are launched in Hong Kong on Monday.

The campaign features two new TV commercials that continue to highlight how the little things CX provides in terms of service and product help to enhance the overall travel experience. The first TVC, "The Boss from Hell" features focuses on the benefits of changing your seat through Online Check-In, while "Gimme a Break" shows how inflight fresh cappuccino can make a difference.

The commercials have already been showing on international TV channels such as CNN and Discovery since 16 October. Two more commercials, dubbed "Pasta Pasta" and Forget Me Knot" have been shot and will show next year.

Hong Kong staff wishing to see the latest commercials can catch them on the following channels on Monday:
Cable News, 7.15pm
ATV World, 8.30pm
TVB Pearl, 9pm
Cable finance info, 9.30pm
TVB Jade, 9.45pm
ATV Home, 11.15pm

The TVCs are being backed by a print and online campaign. Five print ads have been produced - two with an "Asian and Western favourites" food theme, one about midnight snacks on long-haul flights, one on Online Check-In and another on inflight entertainment - and will feature randomly in major Hong Kong newspapers and magazines this week. Online banner ads based on the print ads will feature on major local news sites and international sites.

[hkskyline]

Cathay Pacific Oct Passengers +7.9% On Yr To 1.41M
9 November 2006
Dow Jones Chinese Financial Wire

Cathay's cargo tonnage also rose from the same month last year to 108,335 metric tons, up 4.2%.

'We are encouraged by the high load factor in October and we are pleased that passenger growth kept ahead of capacity growth,' said Ian Shiu, general manager of revenue management, sales, and distribution.

'Strong demand in the front end helped to keep our yield up, though competition is getting keener for back-end business.'

During the period, the airline's passenger capacity, measured in available seat kilometers, was up 4.8% at 7.58 million ASKs.

From January to October, Cathay carried 13.86 million passengers, up 8.7% from 12.74 million in the same period last year.

[hala]

Source: 蘋果日報

套 房 概 念 　 提 升 私 人 空 間
《 福 布 斯 》 選 今 年 10 大 　 國 泰 頭 等 艙 No.1


【 本 報 訊 】 九 霄 雲 外 海 闊 天 空 ， 但 航 機 內 的 客 位 卻 十 分 侷 促 ； 不 過 有 錢 買 頭 等 或 商 務 機 位 者 ， 卻 可 享 有 恍 如 度 假 酒 店 般 的 享 受 。 芸 芸 航 空 公 司 中 ， 美 國 《 福 布 斯 》 選 出 06 年 全 球 最 佳 10 大 頭 等 機 艙 服 務 ， 國 泰 航 空 蟬 聯 一 哥 ， 但 全 球 最 佳 商 務 客 位 卻 10 大 不 入 ， 由 在 航 機 上 提 供 按 摩 服 務 的 維 珍 航 空 掄 元 。 　 記 者 ： 蔡 朗 清


《 福 布 斯 》 財 經 雜 誌 網 上 版 昨 公 布 今 年 度 全 球 最 佳 10 大 頭 等 及 商 務 客 位 航 空 公 司 ， 評 選 標 準 是 根 據 英 國 著 名 航 空 業 調 查 公 司 Skytrax ， 分 析 全 球 航 空 公 司 的 服 務 水 平 。
在 10 大 最 佳 的 頭 等 機 艙 服 務 中 ， 香 港 的 國 泰 繼 去 年 後 再 度 成 為 全 球 第 一 ， 《 福 布 斯 》 更 特 別 提 及 國 泰 於 明 年 一 月 起 提 升 機 艙 服 務 ， 包 括 將 頭 等 艙 換 上 全 新 座 椅 ， 並 由 「 椅 」 的 概 念 ， 提 升 至 大 增 私 人 空 間 的 「 套 房 」 概 念 ， 座 椅 不 但 可 調 校 成 扶 手 椅 、 躺 椅 以 至 變 成 81 吋 長 睡 床 ， 並 且 兼 具 按 摩 功 能 ， 附 有 獨 立 衣 櫃 及 17 吋 LCD 螢 幕 。
排 名 第 二 的 阿 聯 酋 及 第 三 名 的 新 加 坡 航 空 ， 也 不 約 而 同 地 計 劃 更 換 可 變 為 大 睡 床 的 新 款 座 椅 ， 例 如 新 加 坡 的 頭 等 機 艙 座 椅 可 達 80 吋 長 ， 設 有 23 吋 LCD 螢 幕 連 接 文 書 及 娛 樂 系 統 。
至 於 其 他 獲 選 的 航 空 公 司 ， 它 們 提 供 的 頭 等 艙 服 務 可 謂 各 適 其 適 ， 計 有 卡 塔 爾 航 空 提 供 寶 馬 7 系 機 場 接 送 服 務 ， 品 嘗 魚 子 醬 、 龍 蝦 等 10 道 菜 餚 美 食 ； 馬 來 西 亞 航 空 更 提 供 直 升 機 機 場 接 送 ； 海 灣 航 空 提 供 司 機 、 地 勤 、 空 姐 、 廚 師 及 保 母 整 隊 人 員 的 貼 心 服 務 。


維 珍 商 務 機 艙 最 佳
對 於 蟬 聯 第 一 ， 國 泰 回 應 稱 ， 會 繼 續 提 升 機 艙 服 務 ， 包 括 明 年 起 更 換 航 機 商 務 、 頭 等 及 經 濟 客 位 的 座 椅 ， 在 長 途 客 機 率 先 安 裝 。
此 外 ， 10 大 最 佳 商 務 機 艙 服 務 由 維 珍 奪 得 ， 其 餘 依 次 是 英 航 、 南 非 航 空 。

[hala]

Originally Posted by hala

Lastest CX TV commercials launch in HK on Monday

The latest advertisements in the ongoing "People and Service" campaign are launched in Hong Kong on Monday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLt_GKnGejI

[Skyprince]

Hala can you explain the article which is written in Chinese that you posted a while ago ? I read that Malaishiya Airlines is in the 7th position

[hala]

Originally Posted by Skyprince

Hala can you explain the article which is written in Chinese that you posted a while ago ? I read that Malaishiya Airlines is in the 7th position

From the latest issue of Forbes
Best First Class 2006
Sophia Banay, 11.09.06, 12:01 AM ET

Silk pajamas, private spas, designer amenities and restaurant-quality food--these days flying first class is a lot like a night at your favorite resort. The major difference (other than jet lag): price.

This year, Cathay Pacific, the top-rated first class carrier on our annual list of the Best First Class Airlines, celebrated its 60th birthday. To mark the occasion, the airline announced a series of upgrades, including bigger television screens, more work space and a new, ergonomically-tested first class seat with massage capability that gently converts to a chaise lounge as well as a totally flat bed.

On Malaysia Airlines, passengers in the U.K. and France are ferried to the airport via helicopter (passengers in other countries make do with a limo). On board, food is served with silver forks and knives, Italian glassware and china; champagne, liquor and vintage wine accompany each meal.

In Pictures: World's Best First Class
And at British Airways (nyse: BAB - news - people ), the design of the newly introduced first class cabin was based on the interior of a Rolls Royce, with Connolly leather, faux walnut wood, rich fabrics and a deep, soothing color palette. At London's Heathrow and New York's John F. Kennedy airports, BA also provides a complimentary Molton Brown Spa, and onboard catering includes spa cuisine from Thailand's Chiva Som resort.

"We get celebrity chefs from around the world to help us identify the food trends happening in restaurants. Then we make it happen in the plane," says James Boyd, a representative for Singapore Airlines (other-otc: SGPJF - news - people ), which just spent $360 million upgrading cabins across all classes of service. "Same thing with the wine experts, who tell us where wine is going. Our turndown service for first class looks like the service you'd expect to have at a five-star hotel. We're taking a page from how our customers live their lives."

Of course, all that pampering comes at a price. A round-trip first class ticket from London to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific costs $12,373, and New York to Hong Kong rings in at almost $16,000. On Malaysia Airlines, an Los Angeles to Kuala Lumpur round-trip first class ticket is $8,800; Bangkok can be almost $10,000.

"The carriers make a lot of money on people who pay premium fares," says Bob Harrell, president of New York City-based aviation industry consulting firm Harrell Associates. "There's a lot of competition in the back of the airplane, but the fares are so dramatically higher in the front of the plane that they have incredible margins for carriage."

Of course, there are plenty of people sitting in first class who didn't pay $10,000 to be there.

"It's either upgrades or employees," says Harrell. "They'd never displace a guy who wants to pay $10,000, but if a seat's available, it goes to a crew member," like a deadheading pilot.

If you don't work for an airline, your best bet to travel first class is to fly--a lot. Most airline rewards programs offer upgrades for their top flyers, those in their Platinum, Diamond or Gold categories, says Harrell. "These people get upgrades routinely, or free tickets or rewards miles if they can't get an upgrade."

To compile our list, we worked with Skytrax, a U.K.-based airline and airport quality ranking firm, which sent 16 auditors into the field for six months to assess the 36 carriers who offer first class service on their international, long-haul routes. Skytrax grades each airline across a giant matrix on over 400 criteria, including efficiency of the check-in process, the quality of the onboard entertainment and the temperature of the meal service entrée when it is served.

One thing that hasn't changed from last year's list is that the top ten is dominated by Asia- and Middle East-based airlines. Not a single U.S.-based carrier made the top ten.

"Amongst the Middle Eastern carriers, the majority have a largely Asian proportion of front-line staff in customer service roles," Peter Miller, who administers Skytrax's annual study, writes in an e-mail. "The Asian service culture is quite simply a whole lot better than that which we have here in Europe or that which you have in the U.S."

So which airlines do provide the most luxurious first class service? We've done the legwork to find out. Your job? Paying for it.

#1
Cathay Pacific

This September, Cathay Pacific turned 60, and the airline is rolling out a slew of cabin improvements to commemorate the birthday. In first class, private relaxation suites--complete with massage capability--are being introduced; the seat can convert from armchair to chaise lounge to bed. In-seat power and spacious workstations are available, as well as a nifty personal closet where you can store clothes and shoes during flight. A 17-inch personal TV screen, adjustable to any angle, provides for very luxurious viewing.

#2
Emirates

The service on Dubai-based Emirates, an 18-year-old airline, has taken first-class pampering to new heights. Emirates recently spent $1.8 billion installing upgraded amenities across the fleet, including "first-class suites" on its A340-500 planes. The suites consist of leather convertible flat-bed seats with massage functionality, down pillows and cotton-lined blankets. Seven-course meals are served on Royal Doulton bone china with linen napkins.

#3
Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines announced $360 million worth of changes across all cabins of service this fall; in first class, that translates to an eight-seat cabin, where each seat is 35 inches wide, upholstered in leather, and convertible to a full-size flat bed. In-seat power supply, a 23-inch LCD TV screen, USB port and noise reduction headsets all come standard, as do Givenchy amenities and on-demand catering and entertainment.

#4
All Nippon Airways

ANA's first-class cabins feature wide, 33-inch seats that convert to beds--silk sheets, down duvets and sleep suits all provided. Each seat has its own 15-inch monitor with on-demand audio and video entertainment, and ANA's EUPHONY sound system filters out background noise like engine hum or passenger chatter. Krug Grand Cuvée is served onboard with Iranian caviar as a welcome treat, and hot, freshly cooked rice is served with every meal

#5
Qatar Airways

Passengers flying first class on Qatar Airways are delivered to the airport in a BMW 7 Series vehicle and can unwind in a first class lounge on the A340-600 planes. Lie-flat beds come with feather duvets, slippers and pajamas, and the gourmet ten-course meal service includes caviar, lobster, prawns, Arabian mezzas, chocolate, cheese platters, fresh cappuccino and a fine selection of global wines.

#6
Thai Airways

On Thai Airways Royal First Class Service, the champagne--Cuvée Dom Perignon 1996, La Grande Dam 1995, Veuve Clicquot--flows freely, as does a selection of premium wines and soft drinks. Classic Thai food is served on china dishes with silverware and restaurant-style place settings, and passengers receive a personal video player on which they watch selections from the onboard library.

#7
South African Airways

South African Airways' first class Millennium Product is available on its Boeing planes and features a 180-degree lie-flat bed and a large table for dining or working. Seats also come with adjustable reading lights, video on demand and complimentary sleeper suits for a snug nap. Passengers are given the choice between a single or double suite.

#8
Malaysia Airlines

In the U.K. and France, the Malaysia Airlines first class experience begins with a helicopter pickup. The 12-seat cabin features sleeper seats with dining tables that accommodate two. Food is served with silver forks and knives, Italian glassware and china. Champagne, liquor and vintage wine accompany each meal. Satay--chicken, beef or lamb skewers--is the airline's most famous dish, and onboard faxing is available for business people.

#9
British Airways

One of the perks of flying BA first class is the custom-made amenity bag created by designer Anya Hindmarch. Each bag contains basics and gender-specific add-ons like Amanda Lacey cleanser for women and a Wilkinson Sword Xtra2 razor for men. The cabin resembles a Rolls Royce, with Connolly leather and cashmere-style and velvet fabrics. Lie-flat beds, on-demand dining--including spa cuisine from Chiva-Som--and 18 channels of entertainment round out the experience.

#10
Gulf Air

Gulf Air boasts a team of specialized service people, including chauffeurs, flight attendants, cabin service managers, chefs and nannies. Passengers are picked up in a BMW 7 Series vehicle, and onboard seats are crafted from New Zealand wool with leather, silk cushions and beech paneling. There are only eight passengers per first class cabin, and each seat has a personal 15-inch screen. European and Middle Eastern dishes are on offer, and the adjacent seats can be combined into a table for four.

[hkskyline]

Cathay Pacific adds five freighter flights to Shanghai

HONG KONG, Nov 13, 2006 (AFP) - Hong Kong's flag carrier Cathay Pacific said Monday it will add five flights to Shanghai each week from December 2, taking the total to 17 flights each week.

One more flight will be added on Fridays with effect from January 5, it said, adding that the additional flights will be operated using Boeing 747 Freighters.

It said the latest increase in freighter flights is due to continued high demand and will help Cathay feed more freight into its international network.

The expanded Shanghai service comes after the recent announcement of a new freighter service to Beijing. The twice-weekly service to China's capital will be launched on Wednesday.

[Skyprince]

I flew Cathay Pacific just yesterday HKG-KUL and frankly saying it doesn`t deserve 5-star rating at all !! FA`s are OK but not too friendly like Thai or Malaysia, Food terrible and inedible with no flavour, my table crashes while eating and spilt my clothes, legroom too compact and very uncomfortable.
It is a 3-star airline.

[vincent]

Just realized there are video series about CX 60th anniveriary featuring all different kinds of operation. You can go to youtube.com and search "cathay pacific 60th anniversary series", there are like 20 episodes.

[Kaitak747]

Codesharing for Cathay, Dragonair



Wednesday, November 22, 2006


Cathay Pacific Airways (0293) and Dragonair will cooperate to offer better time slots and lower ticket prices to passengers on the Hong Kong-Shanghai route.
The two carriers aim to compete with Shanghai Airlines, which begins Hong Kong-Shanghai flights Tuesday.

Cathay announced a new codeshare arrangement with Dragonair that applies to seven cities: Shanghai, Beijing, Xiamen, Tokyo and Kota Kinabalu, and two new Dragonair destinations, Phuket and Pusan.

As an example of the new arrangement, Cathay begins a new service on the Hong Kong-Shanghai route December 1. On this service passengers can choose a codeshare package to take a Cathay flight one way, and select a convenient return flight from one of the 16 daily Dragonair flights.

The arrangement is the latest initiative to result from the integration of Cathay Pacific and Dragonair.

Dragonair became a wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay on September 28. The codeshare will extend the Cathay network to 105 routes.

Cathay Pacific has announced that its flight will leave Shanghai at 10.35pm daily except Saturday when it will leave at 3.05am. The turnaround will depart Hong Kong at 6.40pm daily except Friday when it will leave at 11.35pm.

Flying Cathay on the Hong Kong- Shanghai route costs HK$1,990 for economy-class return, not including the airport fee of HK$477. If passengers choose the Cathay and Dragonair codeshare package, they pay HK$510 more at HK$2,500 to enjoy a better time slot. These fares are lower than China Eastern Airlines' (0670) economy-class return fare of HK$2,690.

Compared with Cathay and China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines is more competitive. Its return fare is HK$1,950 for economy, not including airport fee, which is 22 percent below Cathay and 26 percent below China Eastern.

The airline begins a three-times- daily Hong Kong-Shanghai service Tuesday. The airline said its flights will depart Shanghai Pudong Airport at 9.15am, 1.25pm and 4.45pm, and depart Hong Kong at 1.05pm, 5pm and 8.30pm, offering better time slots than Cathay.

Shanghai is now served 16 times a day by Hong Kong Dragon Airlines and 14 times a day by China Eastern.

According to Merrill Lynch's latest report, Dragonair is expected to contribute almost HK$1 billion per annum to Cathay by 2008.

"We think most of the synergies will be revenue driven as Cathay Pacific becomes the first-choice airline for business travelers into China," analyst Paul Dewberry wrote in the Merrill report. Cathay has just announced that it will reduce its fuel surcharge on short-haul flights by 3.4 percent to HK$113 per ticket from HK$117 and by 3.1 percent on long-haul flights to HK$466 from HK$481.

[hkskyline]

Cathay signs up for Iridium network
28 November 2006
Flight International

Cathay Pacific Airways has become the first airline customer to sign for Arinc's Iridium global satellite communications network services, writes Leithen Francis. Arinc says the Hong Kong-based carrier will install the Iridium satellite telephone system on seven Boeing 747-200 freighters."When our freighters are out of VHF range, flightcrews will be able to pick up [an Iridium] phone and make a call to our integrated operations centre or vice-versa," according to Cathay flight operations general manager Russell Davie.The Iridium voice solution uses a compact avionics package and antenna from the International Communications Group. The Newport News, Virginia company already had a supplemental type certificate for installation of the equipment on 747s and one of the Cathay 747-200Fs has already has the equipment installed.Iridium is a constellation of 66 orbiting satellites.

[hkskyline]

Cathay Pacific and Air China jointly named CAPA Airline of the Year
10 November 2006
Corporate Press Release

Cathay Pacific Airways has announced it has received further significant achievement awards from industry peers.

The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), at its Aviation Outlook Summit conference on 9 November, named Cathay Pacific, jointly with Air China, as the CAPA Airline of the Year. CAPA is Asia-Pacific's only major independent aviation "think tank" based in Sydney.

In presenting the award to Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Philip Chen and Li Jia Xiang, Chairman of Air China, at a presentation dinner in Singapore, CAPA Executive Chairman Peter Harbison said "the Air China-Cathay Pacific partnership promises to unlock significant gains in efficiency, productivity and network strength. The breakthrough agreement has significant competitive ramifications throughout Asia and beyond, as well as potentially influencing policy settings that could unleash further growth in the industry."

Said Mr Chen: "I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of Cathay Pacific and honoured to share it with our partner Air China. The synergies between Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and Air China are there, and all those involved are committed to making a success of the far-sighted deal that has brought the three carriers together."

The CAPA Airline of the Year is awarded annually to the airline that has had the greatest impact on the development of the airline industry in the region, established itself as a leader and created a benchmark for others to follow.

Cargo was also hauled into the spot light at the same event as CX was named CAPA Cargo Airline of the Year - awarded to the cargo airline that has had the greatest impact on the development of the region's air cargo industry.

The Aviation Outlook Summit is an annual platform for senior executives from the region's major airlines, airports and government agencies.

[hkskyline]

It takes top management skills to ensure that every interaction between Cathay Pacific staff and its customers goes without a hitch
2 December 2006
South China Morning Post

IF YOU HAVE a ninth-floor office in the "Cathay City" complex at Chek Lap Kok, you can legitimately claim to have made it in the airline business.

This is where you will find Quince Chong Wai-yan, the director of service delivery for Cathay Pacific Airways, and it is her centre of operations for running what amounts to a small army of about 10,000 staff.

Ms Chong is responsible for ensuring that every interaction between the airline and members of the public, whether on the ground or in the air, runs without a hitch. As a result, not only do all the airline's frontline staff ultimately report to her, but also everyone who works behind the scenes in the kitchen and laundry departments.

It is a huge task, but just the sort of challenge Ms Chong is used to tackling. She developed the necessary skills when working as senior manager of public relations for the Hong Kong Tourism Board leading up to the handover in 1997. At that time, her role involved addressing the perceptions of overseas visitors after the handover, as well as projecting the correct image of Hong Kong to people on the mainland.

"It was a very tough but exciting time," she said. "I had very long working hours, finishing my day at around two in the morning and starting again at eight, but I felt I played a role in witnessing an historical moment for Hong Kong. I felt like an ambassador."

The year after the handover, the new international airport opened and Ms Chong joined Cathay Pacific Airways as head of corporate communications. The timing was unfortunate because the airline became embroiled in a protracted industrial dispute with pilots, which culminated in a strike in 1999.

Though only six months into the job, Ms Chong had to step forward. It was up to her to manage the company's communications strategy, with no previous knowledge of the issues at stake.

"I had no operational experience and no airline background, but I had to face the press every day for six weeks," she said. "As you can imagine, it was a very stressful period."

Nevertheless, she came through the ordeal with flying colours, and two years later was offered the position of general manager of in-flight services. There, she was in charge of more than 5,500 cabin crew and had to develop in-flight food, safety and service "products".

Confirmation of success came with her appointment as a director of the group's catering services division, and subsequently to the chair of associated companies handling laundry and airport services.

Inevitably there is a lot of pressure, but Ms Chong still finds the job fascinating and enjoys every moment.

"The airline is just so dynamic," she said. "It's not just about selling seats, it is actually about the experience [of flying], and you can be very creative with the many products and services that you offer."

In day-to-day terms, the hardest thing is to find the right balance between managing costs and improving service quality. This constant search for ways to enhance the "customer experience" can lead to both highs and lows.

"People are where my happiness and my sorrow lie," Ms Chong said. "I have some very passionate customers who always give me a lot of feedback and positive comments. At the same time, I also have some very frustrating passengers who keep complaining."

She makes every effort to ensure that staff interact positively with customers, and reminds them that they may only have one chance to get things right.

"I believe that every [person] encountering a customer has one moment of truth. It can be a positive moment or it can be a lousy experience for the passenger," she said.

One key to her effectiveness as a manager has been her ability to remember names.

"By calling my cabin crew by their names they are impressed and feel that I do recognise and respect them. That is a great motivation," she said.

Although outnumbered by male colleagues on the executive floor, Ms Chong has never considered herself a woman in a man's world. This, she said, may be because she has some qualities regarded as typically male.

"I walk very fast and I talk very fast," she said. "I consider myself physically strong and I have a very strong character. I'm also not too worried about failure."

But there are times when being a woman executive is tough.

"We have many hats to wear, many roles to play. At home you need to be a wife, a mother and you have to be good to your parents and your mother-in-law. At work you are the supervisor of your staff. You have to strike a good balance," she said.

In days gone by, it was not always possible to find the necessary balance. When her two boys were babies (they are now 11 and 14), she worked long hours at the Hong Kong Tourism Board and hardly had any family time.

"That is the only regret I have," she said. "When I look back I really have very little memory of the time I spent with my youngest boy before he was three years old."

When she joined Cathay Pacific, Ms Chong and her husband agreed that he would work from home to help look after the boys. This has been a blessing and, now that the boys are older, she and her husband have more time for themselves.

It has allowed Ms Chong the freedom to start singing lessons and take part in some voluntary work. She serves on the Council of The Open University, and an ad hoc government committee that considers curriculum development for gifted children. She is also chairman of the Hong Kong Association for Customer Service Excellence.

"As the chairman, I will be able to learn a lot to help Cathay, to drive our service standards to new heights," she said.

"At the same time, we can share our experience with other organisations {hellip} and contribute to the success of Hong Kong's economy."

[hkskyline]

Cathay Pacific honoured twice for community commitment at 2006 volunteer awards
4 December 2006
Corporate Press Release



Cathay Pacific Airways has once again been recognised for its commitment to community service and youth development, winning two awards at the Volunteer Awards 2006 organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Social Welfare Department.

The annual awards acknowledge contributions made by Hong Kong companies to the local community and are part of the Department’s wider Volunteer Movement, which promotes corporate social responsibility and care in the community. This year’s awards were presented on Saturday, 2 December by Mrs. Selina Tsang, wife of the Chief Executive and Volunteer-in-Chief, and Mr. Paul Tang, JP, Director of Social Welfare.

For the third consecutive year, Cathay Pacific was named Champion in the “Highest Service Hour Award (2005) (Private Organisation - Best Customer Participation)” category. This award recognises Cathay Pacific’s various community initiatives that include the “I Can Fly” programme, in which 1,000 young people aged 13-18 years take part in aviation education and community service activities.

The airline also won a Merit honour in the “Highest Service Hour Award (2005) (Private Organisation – Category One)” award, recognising the efforts of its staff in volunteering for “I Can Fly” and other community activities such as the Sunnyside Club, which cares for handicapped youngsters. At the same time, Dorothy Mak, one of the student volunteers from “I Can Fly”, received the Hong Kong Outstanding Youth Volunteering Award.

Cathay Pacific Director Personnel William Chau stressed the airline’s ongoing commitment to support the local community and help young people reach for their dreams. “As Hong Kong’s airline it is a great honour to receive these awards, which are a tribute to the hard work of all those who make our various community programmes possible,” said Mr. Chau.

Joining the ceremony were a number of Cathay Pacific staff who have made a significant contribution to the airline’s community activities. “I Can Fly” volunteer Karen Yung said that joining the programme gave her a chance to gain valuable experience herself through helping young people achieve their dreams. Johnny Ng, who has been a Sunnyside Club volunteer for many years, said volunteering helped him demonstrate his care and give something back to society. “When you see the smiles on the faces of the young people we help, you can truly understand that it is better to serve than be served,” he said.

[hkskyline]

Cathay Pacific Toronto-Hong Kong Freighter Service Takes Flight
4 December 2006
Canadian Sailings

Cathay Pacific Airways recently celebrated the return of its dedicated cargo freighter service between Toronto and Hong Kong. The service, which resumed on Sept. 20, operates three times weekly to Hong Kong, the world's busiest international air cargo hub.

[hkskyline]

Cathay seeks amiable on-board ambassadors
9 December 2006
South China Morning Post

Learn about the world by travelling to cities in 35 countries and territories - and get paid for it.

With new destinations, additional services and an expanding fleet that already numbers 101 aircraft, Cathay Pacific is recruiting flight attendants to serve as on-board ambassadors, safety experts and caregivers.

Enthusiastic hopefuls should ask themselves three questions before applying, according to Cathay Pacific's manager cabin crew, Shirley Au Yeung.

Can I keep smiling and appear professional at 3am? Can I remain calm when encountering difficult situations and demanding passengers? Am I prepared to work on public holidays, during weekends and on special occasions?

Those who answer positively and are selected will join the 7,000 flight attendants from more than 10 nationalities who all work as one Cathay Pacific team.

"We need individuals with confidence, pleasant personalities and proactive service mindsets. They must be people-orientated and possess good interpersonal and communication skills," Mrs Au Yeung said.

To cope with the variety of challenges on every flight, candidates must also have excellent problem-solving skills and be tactful.

"We are hiring the right people with the right service attitude and personality, so educational qualifications and years of work experience are not our number one priority," Mrs Au Yeung said, noting that the minimum academic requirement was an HKCEE standard and a pass in English (syllabus B) or equivalent.

New recruits are provided with training on aspects such as technical and safety matters and interpersonal skills.

The first assignment is to economy class and then business class.

The promotion path is clear and continues to flight purser, then senior purser and finally, in-flight service manager.

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Cathay offers high-flying careers for aspiring pilots
10 December 2006
South China Morning Post

Embark on a career that will take you to new heights. For those willing to put in a little groundwork, the sky's the limit.

Cathay Pacific is recruiting confident and disciplined young people for their Cadet Pilot Programme and eventually join their ranks as a commercial airline pilot.

"Cadets who perform to the required standard throughout the Cadet Pilot Programme will be offered employment with the company," said Ms Claire Delaney, flight crew recruitment manager, adding that the training is provided at Cathay's expense.

On completion of the course, cadets will have logged around 220 flying hours, obtained a Hong Kong Commercial Pilots Licence and a frozen Hong Kong Airline Transport Pilots Licence.

"To succeed in the Cadet Pilot Programme, you must have a genuine interest in flying, sharp judgment, excellent leadership and strong teamwork skills," said Ms. Delaney.

Not for the faint-hearted, the course is demanding, as the requisite standard is high. Approximately 85 per cent of the cadets actually complete the course.

Although it is an intense programme, there are high points to look forward to, according to the recruitment manager. "The first solo flight is a moment each cadet remembers, along with completing his or her final examination and of course, graduation," she said.

The workload is constant and time management is often the biggest challenge cadets face.

Suitable candidates should be interested not only in flying, but also in the technicalities of flying safely.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, a Hong Kong permanent resident with an excellent command over spoken and written English. Additionally, five passes on HKCEE, including Physics and Mathematics plus two passes in HKALE or a degree in any discipline are required.

Full board is provided at Flight Training Adelaide, Parafield Airport, Adelaide, South Australia.

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pretty modern planes

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國泰加薪 2.5至3.5％
13 December 2006

【明報專訊】國泰航空周一拍板，明年1月1日起，普遍加薪2.5％至3.5％，各部門員工將於聖誕前收到加薪通知，有少部分表現優秀員工升幅達6％。時薪100元，入職3年內的空姐，將有3％升幅，即每小時加3元，發言人指整體升幅符合市場趨勢。

優秀員工升幅達6％

國泰聘逾萬名本地員工，約2200名甲級地面員工，將按表現加2％至3.5％，其餘一般員工加2.5％至3.5％。至於超過6000名空中服務員中，一半是時薪制空姐（1996年後入職全是時薪制），入職不足3年者，將加薪3％，超過3年者，因今年4月已加了一次，故要待明年4月才再作調整。

至於1996年前入職，仍是月薪制的空姐，將按合約規定的增薪點調整人工。國泰發言人表示，是次加薪幅度與僱主聯會及市場上的水平相若。