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

[hkskyline]

True .. but I guess the J seats earn the most profit so they can't afford to wait much longer.

[gino lo spazzino]

Started today, the flight from Milan Malpensa Cathay Pacific became a daily (7 days 7) operated with Boeing 777-300ER

Cathay First Class fills up (today it was completely full and some passengers were sent to Bussines class because there was no place in the First)

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by gino lo spazzino

Started today, the flight from Milan Malpensa Cathay Pacific became a daily (7 days 7) operated with Boeing 777-300ER

Cathay First Class fills up (today it was completely full and some passengers were sent to Bussines class because there was no place in the First)

Yikes - a lot of unhappy frequent fliers downgrading from First to Business. I was once offered money to downgrade to Economy from Business. My answer was an assertive and quick no.

[hkskyline]

Source : http://pic.feeyo.com/posts/536/5365942.html

[hkskyline]

南非車禍港國泰空姐一人已出院
[21:47] 2011/07/02

3 Cathay Pacific flight attendants were involved in a car accident in Johannesburg on Friday. 1 dead and 1 Malaysian FA is no longer in serious condition following surgery.

The 3 FA's were returning to the hotel after a holiday. 2 of the FA's joined the firm in March 2011, and this is reportedly their first trip to South Africa.

【on.cc 東方互動 專訊】 國泰3名空姐星期五在南非約翰內斯堡發生車禍，兩名香港空姐分別一死一輕傷，一名馬來西亞籍空姐重傷，接受手術後，無生命危險。輕傷者已出院。

事發時，3人與當地親友外出遊玩後，返回酒店途中，疑因閃避動物出事。國泰空中服務員工會主席黎玉嬋表示，兩名香港空姐今年3月才入職，相信是首次到南非。

國泰方面對事故深表難過，向死者家人致以深切慰問，已派員到當地協助善後。本港入境處已透過外交部駐港特派員公署，及中國駐約翰內斯堡總領事館了解情況。

[hkskyline]

Cathay attendant injured on tragic resort trip due home
The Standard
Monday, July 04, 2011

One of the two Cathay Pacific flight attendants injured in a fatal traffic accident in South Africa was expected to return to Hong Kong this morning.

Kristine Tjhin, who was slightly injured, would arrive at 7.35am, according to the airline.

Martina Tam from Hong Kong died in Friday's crash and colleague Macy Sip, from Malaysia, was seriously injured.

Their ages are unknown as the airline has declined to provide personal particulars of cabin crew.

Sip, who suffered a hand fracture, has been discharged from a government hospital and will receive a check-up at a specialist hospital today.

She may need to undergo surgery, a spokeswoman for the airline said.

The three were sightseeing at Sun City resort with a family friend of one of them. On their way back to the hotel, the car driven by the friend reportedly flipped over, throwing Tam out of the vehicle.

Cathay Pacific Airways Flight Attendants' Union chairwoman Dora Lai Yuk-sim said both Tam and Tjhin began working at the airline only in March while Sip has more experience.

She said as far as she knows, the family of any flight attendant who dies in the line of duty will receive compensation amounting to 72 months' salary.

An airline spokeswoman said staff insurance covers accidents during rest time at destinations, but the amount depends on which package individual members choose.

"If the colleagues involved in this accident have any financial difficulty or need help from our company, we will try our best to assist," the spokeswoman said.

Cathay Pacific chief executive John Slosar and the management team earlier expressed condolences to the family of the deceased.

[hkskyline]

Source : http://pic.feeyo.com/posts/467/4672207.html

[Blackraven]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

Cathay Pacific: To Launch Economy Class Overhaul As Early As 3rd Quarter
22 June 2011

HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (0293.HK) said Wednesday it planned to offer new economy class seats on its aircraft in the third quarter at the earliest, in the Hong Kong-based carrier's latest effort to compete with other top airline brands even as demand and revenue continue to soar.

'We've been look at all aspects of the economy class cabin over the past 12 months. We've got some plan but we're not ready to talk yet,' Cathay Pacific Chief Executive John Slosar said at a company event. He said the airline was considering many possibilities in the revamp, but declined to elaborate.

The planned overhaul of its economy cabin comes just six months after Cathay Pacific announced a more than HK$1 billion plan to replace business class seats on long-haul aircraft. Some travelers complained about the limited space on the business class cabins, which have tall partitions separating each seat.

Cathay Pacific's long-haul economy class cabins last underwent a retrofit in 2006 with the installation of seats that move forward when a passenger reclines to give them more space. However, some travelers complained the hard-back seats were uncomfortable.

The airline is reinvesting in its products and services, which in Asia continue to play a big role in differentiating one airline from another.

Slosar also said the airline continues to look at further expanding its fleet of freighters.

I hope this means that AVOD will be available on ALL Cathay Pacific flights (most especially on short-haul flights like HKG<->TPE and HKG<->MNL)

[hkskyline]

Cathay Pacific extends freighter network with launch of new service to Bengaluru
11 July 2011
Press Release

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that it will further extend its freighter network with the launch of a new service to Bengaluru (Bangalore) in India. The twice-weekly service commences on 1 August and will operate every Monday and Thursday on a Hong Kong-Delhi-Bengaluru-Hong Kong routing.

The launch of the new service, operated by Boeing 747-400F aircraft, will reinforce Cathay Pacific’s position as one of the biggest freighter operators in India, with 20 flights a week to, from or through four major commercial cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and now Bengaluru.

For flights into Bengaluru, the airline expects to see strong interest from China and countries in Northeast Asia for shipments of computers, computer components, high-value electronic goods, integrated circuits/semi-conductors and garments. The main markets out of Bengaluru will be Japan and North America, with shipments of cars, auto parts, pharmaceuticals, garments and textiles.

Cathay Pacific Director Cargo Nick Rhodes said: “India is an increasingly important market for our cargo business and we are pleased to be able to extend our coverage in the country through the launch of a freighter service to Bengaluru. This new service will enhance Cathay's presence in India.”

In addition to the new destination, Cathay Pacific also recently boosted cargo ties between India and Europe by launching a twice-weekly direct freighter service from Chennai to Frankfurt. The freighters continue onwards to either Manchester or Brussels, providing access to three European destinations from South India.

Cathay Pacific is one of the world’s biggest airfreight operators with a strong commitment to developing its home city, Hong Kong, as a major international cargo hub. In addition to strengthening its freighter network and fleet, the airline is also building a HK$5.5 billion cargo terminal at Hong Kong International Airport, due to open in early 2013.

[sidney_jec]

Telegraph India

Cathay ready to reconnect
- Airline writes to Mamata on possible return after 41 years

Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific has written to Mamata Banerjee with a request to help it explore the possibility of a comeback to Bengal after 41 years, saying the “time is right” for a fresh take-off.

The chief minister’s office confirmed receiving the letter on Monday from Tom Wright, Cathay Pacific Airways’s general manager for India, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan.

We will be grateful if you can arrange a meeting to explore the possibilities of Cathay Pacific or Hong Kong Dragon Airlines (its sister airline) starting scheduled passenger air services from Hong Kong to Calcutta,” says the letter.

Wright was unavailable for comment.

Cathay had first forayed into Calcutta in 1953, but withdrew from the city in 1970. Sources said the airline had decided to explore the Calcutta market afresh based on a market survey over the last few months and “positive feedback” about its business prospects in the region.

Calcutta’s presence on the international aviation map has grown since a Trinamul-led government took charge in May. Qatar Airways is scheduled to start flights to Doha on July 27 and SilkAir, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, will start operating from the city from August 1.

China’s Hainan Airlines was scheduled to launch services in July, but has postponed it to September.

The Jordan Tourism Board is planning to approach that country’s national carrier, Royal Jordanian Airlines, to return to the city.

Royal Jordanian withdrew from the city in 2006 after operating for 18 years.

“There is lot of Mice (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) tourism from eastern India. But the biggest impediment is the lack of a direct flight to Amman. We will request Royal Jordanian to look at Calcutta,” said Nayef H. Al-Fayez, the managing director of the Jordan Tourism Board.

[hkskyline]

Source : http://pic.feeyo.com/posts/533/5333760.html

[bmw730]

CX is my favorite.

[hkskyline]

Pugs can't fly
Friday, July 15, 2011
The Standard

Cathay Pacific is in the doghouse with pet lovers after banning snub-nose dogs and flat-faced cats from its flights.

The carrier, which says flying is a health hazard for the animals, brings in the ban from Monday.

But animal rights groups and pet owners raised howls of protest at Hong Kong's carrier for "over-reacting" with its blanket ban.

Cathay says snub-nose, short-snout and flat-face animals - dubbed "brachycephalic breeds" - have an increased risk of heat stroke and breathing problems when exposed to stress or high temperatures.

Brachycephalic animals include 17 dog breeds - such as pugs, Boston terriers, boxers, chows, bulldogs, mastiffs and shih tzus - as well as Himalayan, Persian and exotic shorthair cats.

Cathay's corporate communication manager for media relations, Maria Yu Chi-sum, said the decision was motivated by concerns in the industry about the safety of transporting the animals.

"Safety is the No 1 priority of Cathay Pacific at all times - and that covers the safety of live animals we transport," she said.

But the chief veterinary surgeon with the SPCA, Jane Gray, said yesterday: "While I can understand the thought behind their concern, I feel a blanket ban regardless of age, gender or general health of animals appears to be a little bit of an over-reaction on their behalf."

She warned there might be an increased risk of "abandonment, even euthanasia" because of Cathay's new policy.

An SPCA spokeswoman said the health risks associated with flying are not limited to certain breeds. "It's not just a matter of breed but more a matter of the physical condition of the animal," she said.

Animals already require strict medical clearance to travel on airplanes. Typically, they must have an updated medical history of a week or 10 days to show they are fit for flying.

Cathay Pacific will be joining Singapore Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines which have already banned the boarding of snub-nose dogs.

Dragonair and British Airways allow pets to be carried as cargo, while Virgin Atlantic and Qantas Airways allow animals on board.

Dog owner Joseph Wun Chai-tong, who often takes his Irish setter on family holidays, is puzzled by the restriction.

"I can understand that flat-faced dogs can have breathing problems and can therefore bring about trouble, but I think owners should still have a say in this," he said.

Doris Law, sub-manager of Dogotel - a pet boarding house in Kowloon which charges an average of HK$460 a night - said: "We're often fully booked, so this change of policy won't really affect our packed schedule."

Cathay Pacific allows owners to transport most other pets as excess baggage or manifested cargo, depending on the destination. Animals need to have an import permit, health certificate and vaccination record from a vet and any permits required.

[hkskyline]

Source : http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave0402/with/5920455195/

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[hkskyline]

Source : http://pic.feeyo.com/posts/537/5378580.html

[hkskyline]

Source : http://pic.feeyo.com/posts/538/5383522.html

[hkskyline]

Dragonair Tops “World's Best Regional Airline”
23 June 2011
Press Release

(HONG KONG) Dragonair has been voted “World’s Best Regional Airline” in the annual Skytrax awards for the second year in a row - the only airline to hold the honour to date since the introduction of this category in the world-renowned Skytrax survey. The carrier is also honoured “Best Regional Airline Asia” in the same survey.

The World Airline AwardsTM are based on the World Airline SurveyTM by Skytrax of the UK, and is particularly significant because it is based on customer satisfaction. A total of 18.8 million airline passengers from more than 100 countries participated during the 10-month survey period. The survey covered more than 200 airlines and assessed customer-service standards across almost 40 criteria related to airlines’ various products and services covering airport and onboard environments, including check-in, boarding, onboard seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, food & beverages, inflight entertainment and staff service.

Dragonair Chief Executive Officer James Tong expressed his pride and pleasure at the news of the awards. “It is a great honour to receive these recognitions from travellers. On behalf of everyone at Dragonair, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who voted for us,” he said. “The fact that we have won the World’s Best Regional Airline for two consecutive years and this year’s Best Regional Airline Asia, together with previous Skytrax honours, such as Best Airline – China for six consecutive years and Best Regional Airline – Southeast Asia, demonstrates our commitment to service excellence. However, the awards represent more than just an honour for Dragonair, they also recognise the success of a Hong Kong-grown brand, and are thus tribute to the dynamism, creativity and hard work of the city as a whole.”

Mr Tong praised the teamwork exhibited by Dragonair in winning the awards. “The management culture and professionalism of the carrier is the key to success,” he said. “Our focus is always on people – customers and staff, as well as the younger generation in Hong Kong. While we always provide quality service to our customers, we believe that it is also vitally important to take care of our staff as well as to nurture our younger generation through various corporate social responsibility programmes.

“My message to Dragonair staff is that it is their commitment and teamwork that have brought recognitions in this prestigious survey – and I thank them for their hard work and dedication. We will not rest on our laurels, however, but continue to strive towards excellence in everything we do!”

[hkskyline]

By cm1 from HKADB :

[hkskyline]

Source : http://pic.feeyo.com/posts/538/5387005.html

[Fenix_2007]

Amsterdam

http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7155586&nseq=0