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

[hkskyline]

Cathay Pacific to introduce carbon-offset scheme

HONG KONG, March 29, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific said Thursday it will develop a carbon-offset scheme to offset its greenhouse gas emissions generated by travel in a bid to counter the impact of climate change.

The airline said it would invest in projects that would improve efficiency and reduce fuel burn as part of its contribution to limit any adverse impact on the environment caused by flying.

Aviation is viewed as one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions.

Cathay said it would allow its passengers to choose if they wanted to join the scheme, which is increasingly common in Europe and the United States. It did not say how the passengers could take part.

Cathay chief executive Philip Chen called for the aviation industry to push towards improved technology in order to counter climate change.

He said infrastructure changes were also needed to address fuel wastage created by inadequate route and air-traffic management.

He said emission trading would help drive overall emissions reduction and urged the International Civil Aviation Organisation to take the lead in the pushing for reductions.

[Kaitak747]

國泰為何叫Cathay？


【明報專訊】日本 有日本航空，新加坡 有新加坡航空，但香港最大的航空公司，為何名叫國泰航空 ，而非香港航空？



Cathay象徵神秘中國

要解釋國泰航空（Cathay Pacific）名字的由來，得從Cathay一詞說起。「Cathay」原意指「契丹」，即公元10世紀在中國北方建立遼國的民族。大約於13世紀以來，歐洲人均誤以為契丹代表中國北部，馬可勃羅口述的《東方見聞錄》，便稱中國北部為契丹、華南為「蠻子」（Manji）。

當時資訊不發達，有好一段時期，歐洲人甚至以為契丹等同全個中國。及至15世紀，西方掀起一股東方熱，尋訪「契丹國」，成為當時冒險家的時髦事兒，故Cathay一詞對西方人來說，象徵了對「神秘中國」的幻想。

因此，1946年國泰兩位創辦人Roy Farrell及Sydney de Kantzow準備成立航空公司時，便想起Cathay一詞，最終成為今天的Cathay Pacific。

至於Cathay何以譯作國泰，是因為Cathay在拉丁文及俄文等發音為「Kitai」或「Catai」，發音與「國泰民安」中的「國泰」相似。

第一代「港航」被國泰吞併

其實早於1947年，香港已有一間名為「香港航空」的公司，更與國泰打對台，及後經港英政府協調，雙方訂立「南北分界線」，國泰主責香港以南的航線。主營香港以北航線的港航，卻因為中共於1949年建政後，禁止與西方（包括香港）通航，港航業務因此遭受嚴重打擊，至1958年終主動邀請國泰吞併港航。

去年9月，中富航空改名為香港航空，我們總算有一間屬於「自己名字」的航空公司。

[gladisimo]

Originally Posted by Kaitak747

國泰為何叫Cathay？


【明報專訊】日本 有日本航空，新加坡 有新加坡航空，但香港最大的航空公司，為何名叫國泰航空 ，而非香港航空？



Cathay象徵神秘中國

要解釋國泰航空（Cathay Pacific）名字的由來，得從Cathay一詞說起。「Cathay」原意指「契丹」，即公元10世紀在中國北方建立遼國的民族。大約於13世紀以來，歐洲人均誤以為契丹代表中國北部，馬可勃羅口述的《東方見聞錄》，便稱中國北部為契丹、華南為「蠻子」（Manji）。

當時資訊不發達，有好一段時期，歐洲人甚至以為契丹等同全個中國。及至15世紀，西方掀起一股東方熱，尋訪「契丹國」，成為當時冒險家的時髦事兒，故Cathay一詞對西方人來說，象徵了對「神秘中國」的幻想。

因此，1946年國泰兩位創辦人Roy Farrell及Sydney de Kantzow準備成立航空公司時，便想起Cathay一詞，最終成為今天的Cathay Pacific。

至於Cathay何以譯作國泰，是因為Cathay在拉丁文及俄文等發音為「Kitai」或「Catai」，發音與「國泰民安」中的「國泰」相似。

第一代「港航」被國泰吞併

其實早於1947年，香港已有一間名為「香港航空」的公司，更與國泰打對台，及後經港英政府協調，雙方訂立「南北分界線」，國泰主責香港以南的航線。主營香港以北航線的港航，卻因為中共於1949年建政後，禁止與西方（包括香港）通航，港航業務因此遭受嚴重打擊，至1958年終主動邀請國泰吞併港航。

去年9月，中富航空改名為香港航空，我們總算有一間屬於「自己名字」的航空公司。

Somebody ran out of things to write about.

This can easily be found on wikipedia!

[EricIsHim]

Originally Posted by gladisimo

Somebody ran out of things to write about.

This can easily be found on wikipedia!

Well, there are two to three other articles go along with this one. This one about CX is a reference to the main articles and relative to the topic, not just pop up from nowhere.

[hkskyline]

[Sidekicker]

how many times a week does Cathay Pacific Fly to Colombo, Sri lanka?

[hkth]

HK Gov't Gazette Today:
Hong Kong Publication, by Licensing Authority, of Particulars of Application to Operate Scheduled Air Services

[oz.fil]

have the new interiors been fitted into any cx aircraft yet?

[hkskyline]

Sky's the limit for plane firms as China takes off
29 April 2007
The Sunday Times

Explosive growth in the country's aviation market throws up lucrative opportunities, writes Michael Sheridan in Hong Kong

IN a deal that highlights the transformation of China's aviation industry, Cathay Pacific Airways, the Hong Kong-based carrier in which Swire Pacific is the largest shareholder, is to go into the freight business with Air China.

"We're planning to start a cargo airline in Shanghai as a joint operation, with Cathay holding 49% and Air China 51%," said Cathay's Tony Tyler last week. "We're both keen to get on with it."

Tyler, 52, who takes over as chief executive on July 1, said management teams from both airlines were discussing technical matters, the freighter aircraft fleet and marketing for the cargo venture.

The plan was buried in the small print when Cathay and Air China agreed last year to take a stake of just over 17% in each other, while Cathay took control of the regional airline Dragonair, which holds valuable cargo and passenger routes from Hong Kong to Chinese cities.

The fact that it is moving ahead testifies to the dazzling growth of civil aviation in China. Tyler said airfreight already accounted for 30% of Cathay's business and that Hong Kong was the world's second cargo hub after Memphis. But other cargo centres in China are expanding rapidly.

A report by Galaxy Securities, one of the big Chinese brokerage houses, said China had overtaken Germany as the second-biggest air-transport market in the world. It said passenger growth would exceed 15% a year and noted that cargo was expanding by 19% a year. Last year, 160m passengers took to the skies over China.

For Cathay's board, the decisions to take a 17.3% holding in Air China and to deepen its involvement with the Chinese flag carrier made sense. The two are talking about commercial co-operation on fares, frequent-flyer programmes, service standards and codeshare flights. Cathay has already made cost savings by using Air China suppliers for some "non-structural, non-patented" aircraft parts, such as seat components. The airlines are considering a joint-purchasing venture.

" Air China is on track to be the biggest and best on the mainland. Purely as a financial investment I believe it will be seen as a very smart move," said Tyler, while emphasising that "they are a separate airline and they will remain a separate airline".

Four years ago the Chinese government essentially compelled six small airlines to merge with the three dominant carriers to create Air China, China Southern and China Eastern. Analysts expect the three will rank among the world's top 10 airlines by revenue within 15 years. Their combined assets are worth Pounds 9.2billion and together they employ about 80,000 staff and have more than 400 planes.

On board, the service is gradually improving from the days when passengers were serenaded by revolutionary ballads, greeted by stern-faced hostesses and fed rations that might have been served on the Long March.

However, many British businessmen travelling to China continue to opt for the Hong Kong-based Dragonair. "It's key to our entire strategy," said Tyler.

In the medium term, there is no doubt that China offers one of the greatest opportunities in the aviation industry.

Gao Hongfeng, a vice-minister in the Civil Aviation Administration, has forecast spending of more than Pounds 9.3billion on air-travel infrastructure in the next five-year plan. Gao said the number of civil aircraft rose 40% to 863 between 2000 and 2006, adding that Chinese operators would fly 1,580 planes within the next three years. By 2020, officials predict there will be 3,000 planes aloft.

A study by Airbus estimates that the Chinese market for planes, spares and technical support will be worth Pounds 144bil-lion over the next 20 years.

The big two planemakers, Boeing and Airbus, have duelled over China ever since the country opened up its aviation market, but they could face home-made competition for future sales of about 2,000 aircraft.

China's state council has given the go-ahead for ambitious plans to build a large passenger aircraft of more than 150 seats and it has authorised foreign and domestic investors to participate in the enterprise.

Shanghai's Securities Daily newspaper said four state-owned manufacturers in the city would be merged with the state's two major aviation plants to launch the project.

However, Liu Jinggang, a senior aviation official, admitted that scientists and engineers would need at least 10 years to develop a plane, leaving the two foreign rivals to battle it out in the meantime.

"Boeing jets are the mainstay of China's air travel and cargo system" the company proudly proclaims, a truth that has been upheld ever since Richard Nixon rode a Boeing 707 to China in 1972 in an unbeatable act of sales promotion.

Airbus, with about one third of the China market, is fighting to erode this dominance, its cause urged on by every visiting European leader in trade talks.

The Chinese have not hesitated to allocate political favours in aircraft purchasing. "It's notable how Airbus contracts have done well when China and the Americans are at odds over political issues," said a diplomat in Beijing.

In the long term, China's insistence on technology transfer implies a declining market for the manufacturers. Apart from the plane project, Chinese planners have made it clear they intend to build aero engines -potentially a challenge to Rolls-Royce, which has done very well by supplying engines for Airbuses in China.

Once inside the country, there is no alternative to the domestic carriers, but efficiency standards on the ground are rising rapidly and in terms of queues or delays most big Chinese airports would put Heathrow to shame.

The race is on to upgrade the terminals at Beijing and Shanghai for the 2008 Olympics, while Guangzhou already has a gleaming new airport to welcome business people to the city's giant trade fair this month.

The Chinese plan to increase their civilian airports from 142 to 186 in the next few years. And they are modernising their air-traffic control systems to avoid the frequent interruptions to civilian air traffic by military exercises.

Pilots flying into China say an extremely conservative set of air-safety regulations was imposed on Chinese airlines after a slew of crashes in the first stages of liberalisation.

The airlines scored an immediate improvement in their safety record by retiring their fleets of Tupolev and Ilyushin designs in the 1990s. However, the crashes in 2002 of an Air China Boeing 767 and a China Northern Airlines MD-82 prompted a tough review of procedures.

But to judge by the irreverent comments of Chinese internet users, passengers still take some reassuring. Said one aviation chatroom user, nicknamed Z-Man: "Only when I see our communist leaders using that new Chinese plane as their own 'Air Force One' will I dare to fly on it."

[hkskyline]

Cathay Pacific says suspends Colombo services

HONG KONG, April 30 (Reuters) - Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. has suspended flights to and from the Sri Lankan capital after closure of Colombo's airport over the weekend following an attack on fuel facilities in the city.

Cathay Pacific, Asia's third-largest carrier said in a statement "a careful assessment of the situation will be made before services are resumed", and the service would be suspended until further notice.

The Hong Kong-based carrier had in March suspended flights to and from Colombo after a rebel airplane bombed an air force base next to Colombo international airport.

Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger rebel planes bombed two oil facilities near the capital on Sunday, causing minor damage and tripping air defences, the air force said.

Cathay Pacific and Emirates suspended flights to and from Colombo, the only international airport in Sri Lanka, an official with flag carrier SriLankan Airlines said.

The rebels' first air strike was on the air force base next to Colombo airport at the end of March, and it took the military by surprise. Cathay suspended its daily flights after that attack for the better part of a month, resuming just a week ago.

[hkskyline]

Cathay Pacific named as Asia's top cargo carrier
2 May 2007
Corporate Press Release



Cathay Pacific Airways was recognised as the top cargo carrier in the region in the Asia Freight & Supply Chain Awards held recently in Macau.

Cathay Pacific was named "Best Air Cargo Carrier - Asia" at the event, reflecting the airline's commitment to reinforcing Hong Kong's position as one of the world's top airfreight hubs. Last year Cathay Pacific set new revenue and tonnage records for its cargo business as it expanded its freighter fleet and increased the number of destinations it operates to.

The Asia Freight & Supply Chain Awards are organised by leading regional transport and logistics newspaper Cargonews Asia and are widely regarded as the most authoritative and prestigious awards for the industry in Asia. The awards cover regional and global markets.

Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: "We are delighted to receive this prestigious award that reflects Hong Kong's position as the leading air cargo hub in Asia. We are investing in additional freighter aircraft and growing our network to ensure that Hong Kong retains its leadership position in the years to come, and we remain committed to delivering superior levels of service and quality in our industry."

The airline was also recognised for its cargo services in the third annual "Air Cargo Excellence" (ACE) survey run by Air Cargo World. Cathay Pacific received a superior overall score to earn an ACE Award for Excellence. Survey respondents representing Cathay Pacific customers voted for the airline in four categories - Customer Service, Performance, Value and Information Technology.

Cathay Pacific currently operates 17 freighters flying to 32 destinations around the world. Two more 747-400BCF "Boeing Converted Freighters" will enter into service in 2007 and in May 2008 the airline will take delivery of the first of six new Boeing 747-400 "Extended Range Freighters" that will primarily operate on Trans-Pacific routes.

[trueapprentice]

Cathay Pacific to cut fuel hedging exposure

(SCMP) 05月 10日 星期四

Cathay Pacific Airways will slash its fuel hedging exposure to cover only 9 per cent of its total fuel use next year, from an average of 50 per cent this year, according to chief executive Philip Chen Nan-lok.

The company, which covered 40 per cent of its fuel needs by hedging last year, previously said it would continue increasing its hedging exposure for the next two years, amid the relatively low oil prices.

Airlines buy hedge contracts to guard against increases in fuel price.

Hedging exposure for jet fuel cost tends to fall when oil prices decline.

Cathay Pacific hedged 55 per cent of its fuel cost in the first three months of this year, Mr Chen said after the company's annual general meeting.

Cathay Pacific forecast that about 45 per cent of its fuel needs would be covered by hedging for the rest of this year, giving an average 50 per cent of cover for the year.

The carrier's fuel cost rose 14.5 per cent to HK$13.3 billion last year, when it recorded a fuel hedging gain of HK$426 million and an unrealised mark to market gain of HK$158 million.

Jet fuel averaged US$80.51 a barrel in Singapore last year, almost 20 per cent higher than in 2005. The fuel was US$80.85 a barrel yesterday, according to Bloomberg data.

Chairman Christopher Pratt yesterday said the company did not plan to list its shares in the mainland.

(SCMP) 05月 10日 星期四 00:03AM
Cathay Pacific Airways will slash its fuel hedging exposure to cover only 9 per cent of its total fuel use next year, from an average of 50 per cent this year, according to chief executive Philip Chen Nan-lok.

The company, which covered 40 per cent of its fuel needs by hedging last year, previously said it would continue increasing its hedging exposure for the next two years, amid the relatively low oil prices.

Airlines buy hedge contracts to guard against increases in fuel price.

Hedging exposure for jet fuel cost tends to fall when oil prices decline.

Cathay Pacific hedged 55 per cent of its fuel cost in the first three months of this year, Mr Chen said after the company's annual general meeting.

Cathay Pacific forecast that about 45 per cent of its fuel needs would be covered by hedging for the rest of this year, giving an average 50 per cent of cover for the year.

The carrier's fuel cost rose 14.5 per cent to HK$13.3 billion last year, when it recorded a fuel hedging gain of HK$426 million and an unrealised mark to market gain of HK$158 million.

Jet fuel averaged US$80.51 a barrel in Singapore last year, almost 20 per cent higher than in 2005. The fuel was US$80.85 a barrel yesterday, according to Bloomberg data.

Chairman Christopher Pratt yesterday said the company did not plan to list its shares in the mainland.

[CarlosBlueDragon]

Cathay Pacific will have Airbus A380??

[EricIsHim]

Originally Posted by CarlosBlueDragon

Cathay Pacific will have Airbus A380??

I don't think there is such a plan yet.

[hkskyline]

Cathay Pacific releases combined traffic figures for April 2007
14 May 2007
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_...0010d21c39____

Cathay Pacific Airways today released traffic figures for April 2007 that show the combined Cathay Pacific/Dragonair passenger load factor rising above 80% for the first time this year, spurred by the long Ching Ming and Easter holiday in Hong Kong early in the month. The cargo load factor slipped by almost 5 percentage points, however, as the downturn in the market continued.

The two airlines together carried a total of 1,929,655 passengers in April, up 2.2% on the same month last year and ahead of a rise in capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASKs), of 1.2% for the same period. The passenger load factor was 80.4%, marking a rise of 0.9 points on April 2006. The year-to-date load factor was 78.2% - up 0.7 points on last year – while the passenger total was up 1.1% on 2006.

The amount of cargo carried by Cathay Pacific and Dragonair in April was 128,193 tonnes - a dip of 1.7% on the same month the previous year compared to a 3% rise in capacity measured in available cargo/mail tonne kilometres. The tonnage carried for the first four months was down by 1.3% to 500,752 tonnes, with capacity for the same period rising by 3.9%. The month’s cargo load factor was down by 4.8 points against last April at 64.9%.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales & Distribution Ian Shiu said: “Our passenger business in April got a welcome boost from the Ching Ming/Easter holiday in Hong Kong, but we actually enjoyed good load factors throughout the month. The positive business sentiment in Hong Kong continues, which is helping to keep loads high in the front end. Bookings for the three summer peak months are encouraging and we are now starting to see greater synergies between the complementary networks of Cathay Pacific and Dragonair.

Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: “The cargo market was softer than anticipated in April and was slow picking up after the Easter holidays. North Asian exports, in particular, seem to be suffering as a result of strong local currencies and a general shift in manufacturing to China. Demand out of the Mainland remains strong and our new freighter service to Beijing is doing well.”

[hkskyline]

CITIC to make way for Cathay in cargo venture
17 May 2007
Hong Kong Standard

CITIC Pacific (0267) plans to sell its 25 percent interest in a mainland air cargo joint venture to Air China (0753), clearing the way for Cathay Pacific (0293) to buy a stake.

``We are talking with Air China and intend to sell the whole stake,'' managing director Henry Fan Hung Ling said after the annual general meeting.

The joint venture, in which Air China holds a 51 percent stake and Beijing Capital International Airport (0694) owns 24 percent, handles all of the carrier's international and domestic cargo and related ground service business.

The total freight handled by the venture increased 15 percent to 817,178 tonnes last year compared with 2005. But it recorded a HK$1 million loss compared with a HK$44 million profit in 2005.

Fan said the stake sale is intended to clear the way for Cathay Pacific to invest in the venture after Air China sold its indirectly held 43.29 percent stake in Dragonair to Cathay for HK$430 million in cash and 289 million shares in Cathay in September, giving the mainland carrier a 10.16 percent strategic stake.

CITIC Pacific paid 550 million yuan (HK$559.1 million) for its 25 percent stake in 2003.

Shares of CITIC Pacific rose 2.07 percent, closing at HK$32.05 Wednesday.

Beijing-backed CITIC Pacific plans to pull out of non-core businesses to focus on property and steel in the next two years.

In a recent research report, Citigroup said selling the value-added telecoms services provider CITIC 1616 Holdings (1883) this year brought in an exceptional gain of about HK$1.65 billion.

Chairman Larry Yung Chi-kin said CITIC had no immediate plans to sell its stakes in Hong Kong tunnels _ it owns 71 percent of the Eastern Harbour Tunnel and 35 percent of the Western Harbour Tunnel, an estimated total value of HK$5.6 billion _ or its 20 percent stake in Macau telecom firm, Companhia de Telecomunicacoes de Macau.

Asked about the possibility of the Hong Kong government taking back management rights to the tunnels, Yung said the company will ``keep an open mind,'' but it had not been discussed.

Yung also said CITIC was interested in listing in the mainland. But since CITIC Pacific is a red chip incorporated outside the mainland, and Beijing is now focused on getting H-share companies to list shares in the mainland as well, it would probably take some time to list on the A-share market.

[hkskyline]

Cathay Pacific welcomes measures to enhance air traffic management
22 May 2007
Corporate Press Release

Cathay Pacific Airways today welcomed the latest initiatives made by the Hong Kong SAR Government to enhance air traffic management and to increase runway capacity at Hong Kong International Airport. The airline sees these essential interim measures as crucial to bolstering the competitiveness of Hong Kong as a leading global aviation hub, and looks forward to more long-term breakthrough developments in the near future through active coordination with the Mainland authorities.

The Financial Secretary, Mr Henry Tang, announced today that the number of movements at the airport would, within two years, be increased to 58 slots per hour from the existing 54 slots. In addition, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) will adopt measures to expand runway capacity.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Philip Chen said: "We are very encouraged by the Government's latest initiatives. Since late last year, members of the aviation industry have been working very closely with the HKCAD and the Economic Development and Labour Bureau to resolve the airspace restriction issue that could be a major hindrance to the development of this important anchor industry. We are particularly grateful to the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, who has taken a personal interest in this issue and raised the industry’s concerns at the highest levels of the Central Government.

"We are very pleased that the HKSAR Government and the HKCAD have taken heed of the concerns raised by the industry, and have addressed them positively. These interim measures represent the efforts of all concerned parties."

Looking ahead, Mr Chen highlighted the importance of continuous cooperation with the Mainland authorities for a long-term solution to airspace congestion in the Pearl River Delta, and looked forward to more breakthrough developments soon.

"More efficient management of airspace is important not only to the economic development and hub competitiveness of Hong Kong but, most importantly, would be beneficial to all parties in the Pearl River Delta region. It would also bring about environmental improvements as a result of more efficient flight paths and a reduction in fuel consumption. It is heartening to see that the Government and the industry are united in their efforts to address this issue positively," he added.

[hkskyline]

Carbon feewill clear air, Cathay says
29 May 2007
South China Morning Post

Cathay Pacific says its planned carbon-offset programme for travellers will help clean air in the Pearl River Delta and combat climate change.

It is among various companies seeking ways to offset emissions through carbon trading.

The money will be invested in sustainable energy projects through an organisation called Climate Care.

Environmental manager Linden Coppell said Cathay, a member of the Clean Air Charter, was aiming at projects that would also reduce air pollution in the delta region.

"We are considering some efficiency-based projects in the [delta]," she said. "It could be upgrading a transport system or reducing the reliance on conventional energy such as the use of dirty diesel."

Under the system used by airlines, the amount of carbon emitted during the journey and the sum needed to offset it is calculated when passengers book tickets online. Cathay expects the programme will be launched in September.

Ms Coppell said the most-challenging part of the scheme was ensuring the money went to credible projects. "We are going to adopt a more hands-on approach and make sure emissions of the project will be measured accurately."

Peggy Chu Pui-ching, an architect at HOK International, said the company had offset more than 2,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide and six tonnes of nitrogen oxides emitted from its offices worldwide last year.

The company, designer of the Bloomberg and Motorola offices in Beijing, has purchased more than 4 million kilowatt-hours of wind from US farms. "The investment in wind power will have an environmental impact equal to planting 768 acres of trees," Ms Chu said.

HSBC, which claims to be the world's first carbon-neutral bank, offset 170,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2005 by purchasing credits from wind farms and methane projects worldwide.

Similar projects have been introduced under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), set up under the Kyoto Protocol to allow developed countries to achieve their targets by helping developing nations reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

Michiaki Chiba, CDM verifier at Lloyd's Register Asia, said companies had to demonstrate the projects in which they invest would not have been launched anyway.

"It is one of the most difficult parts of being carbon neutral," he said.

But Business Environment Council chief executive Andrew Thomson said stabilising climate change was not all about going carbon neutral, and energy efficiency should come first. "Carbon neutrality is like a carbon tax, which might scare business off," he said, noting that only about 200 buildings in Hong Kong had been designated as energy efficient.

[hkskyline]

[hkskyline]

Cathay Pacific flight spends 7 hours stuck at San Francisco gate
20 June 2007

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A Cathay Pacific Airways yet spent more than seven hours parked at a San Francisco International Airport gate Tuesday while the nearly 400 passengers on board waited for a flight to Hong Kong that never happened.

Flight CX873 was supposed to takeoff at 1:20 a.m., but the people who boarded just after midnight were not let off until 7:30 a.m., when the flight was canceled because of equipment trouble.

"We sat there three hours before they said anything," said Mark Valenta, a newlywed for whom the flight was to have been the start of a dream honeymoon to Asia. "Then the PA system went down, the lights were going on and off, babies were crying, it was a nightmare."

The airline released a written statement saying the flight crew worked hard to minimize the inconvenience to passengers.

"While still on board, our cabin crew worked to ensure the comfort of passengers providing snacks, beverage refreshments and a hot meal. Many passengers were asleep on board as we provided refreshments and updates on the delay," the airline said.

Some passengers disputed Cathay Pacific's account, saying they were frustrated by the airline's failure to keep them informed with timely updates.

"They finally said there was some kind of technical issue, but they were not sure what it was, and were trying to resolve it," Valenta said. "But the pilot was so nonchalant about it. There were no snacks, no drinks, nothing."

Eventually, passengers were given the option of getting off at 4 a.m. to get some juice in the terminal. When everyone disembarked at three and a half hours later, no airline staff was there to direct passengers or indicate how or when their flight would be rebooked, passengers said.

"The real problem was the chaotic customer service," said passenger Aron Starratt, 49, a Silicon Valley building contractor. "Nobody knows what's going on."