Cathay Pacific - Hong Kong's Flag Carrier

[hkskyline]

By 97/98/99 B-Line from HKADB :



Continuation from part 1 : http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=78312

Aircraft operated by CX - 96
Boeing 777-300 11
Boeing 777-200 5
Boeing 747-400(a) 22
Boeing converted freighter 1
Boeing 747-400 freighters 6
Boeing 747-200 freighters 7
Airbus A340-300 15
Airbus A330-300 26
Airbus A340-600 3
(Note a): one under reconfiguration into a BCF.

[Rachmaninov]

Skytrax 5 star airline?

[Rachmaninov]

Boeing's Airplane Health Management to Monitor Cathay Pacific's 777 and 747 Fleets

SEATTLE, April 27, 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Cathay Pacific Airways have announced that the airline will license a state-of-the-art, in-flight airplane monitoring system to track the health of 43 twin-aisle Boeing jets. Boeing's Airplane Health Management (AHM) will give Cathay Pacific a real-time tracking tool to identify potential problems and help turn reactive repair issues into a proactive, planned and timely maintenance program.

AHM provides real-time maintenance information to airlines that can be used to address potential problems before they force airplanes out of service. Cathay Pacific will use the system to track its fleets of existing and incoming 777s and 747-400s. AHM is designed to be a stand-alone fault-forwarding and prognostic solution. It is intended to be integrated with an airline's existing maintenance and engineering systems.

During a flight, AHM gathers data about faults on an airplane and relays that information in real time to personnel on the ground. Based on that communication, maintenance crews can be ready with the parts, tools and information necessary to make repairs when an airplane arrives at its airport gate. AHM can therefore help operators reduce the number and length of airplane dispatch delays and convert many tasks from non-routine to scheduled maintenance.

"Cathay Pacific is one of the airline industry's bellwether customers, the kind that leads in new directions because of its reputation for smart management and informed decision-making," said Lou Mancini, vice president and general manager of Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. "It is fitting that this order comes as Cathay Pacific celebrates its 60th year in operation in 2006 and as it has been recognized by Air Transport World as the magazine's 2006 Airline of the Year. Boeing is pleased to support an airline with such a storied past and present-day respect as Cathay Pacific continues its drive to enhance efficiency."

"For Cathay Pacific, one of the key benefits of AHM is the ability to technically manage a large and growing fleet of aircraft by the effective use of technology rather than manpower," said Rob Wales, Cathay Pacific's manager Maintenance Support. "By using smart, real-time fault forwarding linked to Boeing and airline documentation and integrated into the airline's engineering and maintenance system, front-line staff are provided with a powerful knowledge base that is seamlessly supported by the airline infrastructure. This will significantly improve the chances of implementing a quality, first-time fix, which will ultimately result in enhanced operational performance."

AHM is a key technology in Boeing's effort to e-Enable the air transport system. Central to the effort is the idea that data, information and knowledge are shared across an entire enterprise to allow airlines to make the best decisions to operate their fleets at the highest levels of safety, security and efficiency. AHM is designed to integrate seamlessly with other e-Enabled products from Boeing such as the Class 3 Electronic Flight Bag, MyBoeingFleet and the award-winning Maintenance Performance Toolbox.

In addition, AHM will support long-term fleet reliability programs by helping airline's identify recurring faults and trends. Data collected from one airline can actually guide repair decisions, based on history and fleet experience, at another airline operating the same airplanes.

[hkskyline]

Pilot counselled over 'near miss' claim
30 April 2006
South China Morning Post

The captain of a Cathay Pacific Airways flight that was reported to have narrowly missed a runway collision at Beijing's international airport has been given counselling over his inflight announcements.

The airline said that the pilot on flight CX313 that left Beijing Capital International Airport for Hong Kong International Airport on April 21 had been told to keep public announcements to passengers accurate.

This follows an investigation by the airline that found he had incorrectly informed passengers that an abrupt stop made by the plane while taxiing to the runway was in response to orders from air traffic controllers. Instead, Cathay said, the order to slow down was issued by the captain himself to his first officer, shortly before the aircraft turned on to the runway for takeoff.

After giving his instruction, the captain was concerned that the aircraft was not slowing down quickly enough and applied the brakes himself. This caused the plane to come to a sudden halt, injuring a number of crew members who were not yet strapped in.

Passengers were told after takeoff that the abrupt halt was due to "last-minute amendments" to instructions that had to be obeyed to avoid an "embarrassing" situation.

A Cathay spokeswoman said: "[The captain of the flight] incorrectly informed passengers that the sudden stop had followed an instruction from the airport's air traffic control authorities. He has been counselled on the appropriate public address announcements to be made when such incidents occur. The airline acknowledged that its initial media reporting of the incident had been incomplete, due to the preliminary nature of the information available at the time."

Cathay would not say why the captain of the flight had misled his passengers, but reiterated that at no time was the aircraft in danger.

Hong Kong resident David Christensen, who was aboard the flight, said he was satisfied with Cathay's explanation.

But he added: "The announcement was completely misleading. It led us to only one conclusion and that was we had a panic stop and we would have crashed otherwise.

"If he had said, 'I am sorry, we were going too fast and we braked more suddenly than we should have [done] and I apologise,' maybe this wouldn't have been an issue."

[hkskyline]

Cathay Pacific expands cargo operations in India
1 May 2006
The Press Trust of India Limited

New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) Cathay Pacific is expanding its cargo operations from India, adding Chennai to its network besides Delhi and Mumbai, saying the country was emerging as one of the world's fastest growing cargo markets.

While the twice-weekly direct freighter flights between Hong Kong and Chennai would be launched from June two, Cathay already operates three cargo flights each week from Delhi and Mumbai, the airline's General Manager (Middle East, India and Africa) Tom Wright told PTI here.

He said more freighter services would be added on the India route when additional aircraft are inducted in the fleet.

Wright announced that a new office would be opened at Jalandhar on Wednesday to cater to the needs of growing number of passengers from Punjab, who, he said, contributed around 18 per cent of revenue for it and other airlines.

Observing that Cathay Pacific was giving "value for money" to consumers from India, Wright said they were not looking at any promotional fares or packages for the Indian traveller at the moment.

Asked to comment on Indian government's decision to impose a 12.24 per cent service tax on First and Business Class travel out of the country, he said the measure was too new to have an impact. "We still have tremendous demand and there is no noticeable impact (of this tax) as yet".

To questions on the zooming jet fuel prices, Wright said the airline had already sought permission from Hong Kong authorities to raise the fuel surcharge from the present levels. However, he did not disclose what percentage of hike the airline was looking at. On whether the airline was considering expanding its passenger operations from India, Wright said the air traffic rights granted to it was being fully utilised, though it wanted to expand its network further.

This, he said, would depend on the bilateral agreement between India and the Hong Kong authorities, which still deals with aviation related matters despite the island state's merger with China.

General Manager (Cargo) Ron Mathison said Chennai was a major air cargo centre for textiles and clothing industry and would be a useful addition to Cathay's global freighter network.

"We will look to adding more freighter services to India later this year when we get more aircraft capacity", he said.

[nazrey]

Cathay eyes China's huge growth potential
May 13 2006


HONG KONG: China's tightly regulated airline industry faces a shake-up that could see Cathay Pacific pay up to HK$2.2 billion (HK$100 = RM46.21) to become Asia's biggest carrier with profitable routes into the mainland's fast-growing air travel market.

Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong's international carrier, is in talks that could see it take a controlling stake in unlisted Dragonair, which flies more than 300 times a week between Hong Kong and mainland China.

"With Cathay's feed from around the world and Dragonair's access to China, you'll have the making of a hugely powerful carrier," said Richard Pinkham, Singapore-based consultant with the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.

"It would be a win-win."

One potential road block: Beijing, which is seen as reluctant to permit foreign- controlled Cathay a big slice of the market. Cathay, which declined comment on the stake sale talks, sold 10.65 per cent of Dragonair to China in 1996, a move seen as a sop to Beijing ahead of Britain's handover of Hong Kong.

Up for grabs now is a 28.5 per cent stake in Dragonair held by CITIC Pacific, a Hong Kong-listed investment arm of China's State Council - the country's cabinet.

Cathay, which already owns 17.8 per cent of Dragonair, may take that and add a 7.7 per cent stake held by its parent, Swire Pacific, taking its Dragonair holding to 54 per cent.

CITIC Pacific, which owns 25.4 per cent of Cathay, has said that while it plans to be a "significant shareholder" for the long term, it may cut its stake in line with plans to trim non-core shareholdings and focus on property and resources.

While speculation of a reshuffle has swirled for at least a year, industry sources are confident this time it's for real.

"A deal looks more imminent now as there's a willing seller," said a senior private banker at HSBC who oversees portfolios that invest in Swire, CITIC Pacific, Cathay and Air China.

Analysts say a deal makes good commercial sense: allowing Cathay to tap China's huge growth potential, and simplifying the shareholding structure of Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and Air China, the largest shareholder in Dragonair. Cathay Pacific and foreign carriers such as Japan Airlines Corp, Singapore Airlines Ltd and Korean Air Co have only limited access to Chinese skies. - Reuters

[Monkey]

^ Sounds like a juicy deal. I hope it goes through. Cathay Pacific really needs to get greater access to mainland China.

[hkskyline]

11 May 2006
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific releases April 2006 traffic figures

Cathay Pacific today released traffic figures for April 2006 that reflect continued cargo growth and a boost to already high passenger demand from public holidays.

In April, the airline carried 1,394,688, passengers, a 14.6 percent increase over the same month last year. The comparative percentage increase may have been inflated as Easter last year fell in March. Yet April’s load factor was a high 80.7 percent – up more than three points even with an 11.5 percent increase in capacity, measured in terms of available seat kilometres.

The airline operated 22 extra pairs of flights, mostly to regional destinations, to meet peak leisure travel demand. This compares to 15 pairs last year. Demand to destinations within Southeast Asia was higher than last year when many travellers were deterred by the Indian Ocean Tsunami. Students and schoolchildren returning to Hong Kong for the holiday lifted passenger numbers as well.

The airline carried 96,663 tonnes of cargo in April, up 3.8 percent from the same month last year, and ahead of a corresponding 1.4 percent increase in capacity, measured in terms of available cargo/mail tonne kilometres. Easter is usually slower for cargo as many companies take a break over the holiday.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales & Distribution Ian Shiu said: “In April we saw very strong demand and Southeast Asia was well up. Corporate sales were strong, particularly during the second half of the month, and these customers remain upbeat with the threat of Avian Flu subsiding and continued strength in the economy. Still, rising world interest rates and instability in oil producing areas makes the long-term outlook a little uncertain.”

Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: “Easter is always slower for cargo, yet outbound freighters were still good with continued high demand from China exporters. Regional markets such as Vietnam and Sri Lanka have grown fast and will be ones to watch in the future as well. Fuel costs trended upwards through April and continued to rise in early May, adding further negative pressure to the bottom line.”

Data : http://www.cathaypacific.com/hk/abou...138300,00.html

[hkskyline]

19 May 2006
CX Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific named “Airline Of The Year 2006” by OAG

Cathay Pacific Airways has been named "Airline of the Year 2006" by global travel and transport information company OAG at its prestigious 24th annual awards ceremony in London, capping an unprecedented run of coveted best airline awards for product and service excellence as the airline celebrates its 60th anniversary year.

Cathay Pacific was also voted "Best Airline Based in Asia" and "Best Transpacific Airline" in OAG's awards based on its poll of business travellers. The "Airline of the Year" is chosen from the winners of the eight "Best Airline Based in ¡K" categories making Cathay Pacific truly a leader among its peers.

The awards are among the most valued and respected of in the industry, "representing the views of the most frequent travellers," says OAG. "Independent and unbiased, the awards recognise airlines' ability to deliver the promises made by the marketing and advertising departments. It is for this reason that the OAG Airline of the Year Awards are held in such high esteem."

OAG Chairman Eddie Bell said: "Congratulations to Cathay Pacific for delivering excellence, both in the air and on the ground. The awards are public affirmation of both the product and service Cathay Pacific delivers. Not simply a snapshot taken on a particular day, they reflect the airline's overall performance, throughout the year."

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Philip Chen said: "As the airline of Hong Kong, we are honoured to be presented with this award and owe much to the can-do spirit of the Hong Kong people which drives everyone in Cathay Pacific to always do better. The guidance of our board, the excellence of all who work at Cathay Pacific and the support of our partners and customers made this award possible. To be named OAG 'Airline of the Year' during our diamond anniversary year is the jewel in the crown and highlights our commitment to make our service truly sparkle."

Cathay Pacific beat off competition from more than 40 airlines nominated in 16 regional and global categories.

The OAG "Airline of the Year 2006" award is the fourth consecutive Airline of the Year accolade won by Cathay Pacific in the past two years. It was named "Airline of the Year 2005" in the world's biggest passengers poll conducted by Skytrax, last October was voted "Airline of the Year" by readers of trade magazine TTG Asia, and in January this year was named "Airline of the Year 2006" by Air Transport World magazine.

[Kaitak747]

國泰14員工獲表揚 服務精神感動了乘客

國泰航空今日舉行2006年Betsy嘉獎禮，以表揚14位表現傑出的前線員工，他們當中有通宵陪伴100名乘客前往廣州轉機的，也有無懼水浸威脅親自把機票送到滯留酒店的乘客手中的，他們超逾自己職責範圍，發自內心的慇懃服務，感動了乘客、上司及同事。

Betsy嘉許計劃是國泰航空給予前線員工的最高榮譽，獎勵表現優秀的事跡。在過去一年，公司從不同部門收集傑出的服務個案，交由高層組成的評審團根據「提供職責範圍外的服務」、「對乘客的價值」、「對同事的鼓勵作用」及「推廣國泰服務成效」四項準則作出評審，以選出卓越的得獎者。

今年14名得獎者分別來自機艙服務部、香港國際機場組、訂位及票務組及海外辦事處。各得獎者除了獲得Betsy襟針及獎狀外，更可選擇一次不平凡的體驗，包括參觀波音及空中巴士製造廠、參與公司活動如啟航航班或聯合國兒童基金會考察團等，大獎得主更有機會當一天影子行政總裁。

國泰航空航空服務董事莊偉茵在嘉獎禮上表示：「今天每一位得獎者都彰顯了國泰航空60年來卓越服務的精神。Betsy嘉許計劃是讓我們表揚傑出前線員工的好機會，同時也可鼓勵其他同事效法，令國泰航空的服務水平更上一層樓。」

獲得大獎的香港國際機場督導員姚少和及關嘉麗對於得到大獎均感意外。姚少和說：「得到大獎使我更加相信努力是不會白費的。在國泰工作，不論付出多少，總會收到雙倍的回報。」關嘉麗亦表示：「我會更加努力工作，更好地服務每一位乘客，以答謝公司的嘉許。」

Betsy嘉許計劃於2005年首次舉辦，旨在表揚及感謝服務出眾的員工。以下附上今屆14名得獎者的名單及其獲獎個案。

大獎得主故事

香港國際機場督導員姚少和 (Eric Yui)
香港國際機場督導員關嘉麗 (Wendy Kwan)

一批近100人的台灣旅客因來港航班延誤，以致錯過了接駁往北京及上海的航班。他們在轉機區等候了近12小時，仍不知道何時才能登上續程的航班，部分乘客開始鼓譟，唯一解決辦法是安排他們翌晨乘搭從廣州機場啟程的航班。

督導員姚少和與關嘉麗主動請纓，陪同他們前往太子道，轉乘直通巴士往廣州。在太子道登上前往邊境的巴士時，卻發現這批旅客無端多了三個人。姚少和與關嘉麗唯有請旅客忍耐，重新核對他們的證件，始發現最初在機場數算人數時，遺漏了兩位幼童；至於另一人則是錯登其車的乘客。

擾攘一番後，終抵達邊境。由於時值深夜，入境處只有少數櫃檯開放，二人遂要求官員加開三個櫃檯，以便盡快為這批台灣旅客辦理出境手續。辦妥手續後，他們登上往廣州的巴士再上征途。

可惜一波三折，由於文化有別，他們要花一輪唇舌才能與內地司機達成共識，令巴士順利開出。然而，關嘉麗仍放心不下，累極也不敢打瞌睡，沿途留意高速公路的路牌。姚少和也一直不敢睡，而且因為座位都給佔用了，只能坐在司機旁的樓梯上。

抵達廣州機場後，四周漆黑一片，乘客更見擔憂，姚少和與關嘉麗一直陪伴安撫，直至櫃檯開放，二人馬上張羅水和食物，並確保他們辦妥登機手續，順利過關，始乘搭早機返港。

得獎感受：
姚少和：努力沒有白費！在國泰工作，不論在那個崗位，只要肯付出努力，都會收到雙倍的回報的。

關嘉麗：真的感到很意外。我們只是盡本份而已，每一位同事都很努力，當然能夠幫助別人是很高興的事。得到這個獎項，我會更加努力工作，更好地服務每位乘客，以答謝公司的賞識。


******************

其他入選故事

機艙服務員Stephanie Huh
機艙服務員柯嘉寶(Tammy Or)
機艙服務員嚴栩慈 (Nicky Yim)

三人無微不至的照料，令一位從香港往安克雷奇的長者留下深刻的印象。

一名老婦獨自乘機，因行動不便，難以自行上洗手間，並有失禁的問題。機艙服務員Stephanie、柯嘉寶及嚴栩慈輪流幫助她上洗手間，甚至幫她清潔和更換弄髒了的內衣褲。這位老婦大受感動，回到座位時，不禁溫柔地輕撫柯嘉寶的臉龐，讚她好像一位天使。

三位艙務員盡心盡力的協助，不僅把對其他乘客造成的不便減至最低，也免除令這位婆婆尷尬於人前。

得獎感受：
Stephanie Huh: 實在意想不到，我把她視作自己的祖母一樣，我只是做我應該做的事，從沒期望會因此而得獎。
柯嘉寶：當時我心裡只想著希望能幫到別人，沒想過原來公司會知道，能夠得到別人認同，感到很高興。原來幫助到別人，自己更加開心。
嚴栩慈：很高興得到別人認同和欣賞，我為公司和自己感到驕傲。


******************

孟買客運營業行政主任Niloufer Patel

去年六月孟買暴雨成災，令市內交通癱瘓，以致不少乘客被迫滯留。

客運營業行政主任Niloufer能夠返回辦公室，遂馬上請纓協助訂位組接聽電話。一位乘客來電，指他有其他航空公司的機票，但一直未能聯絡上他的辦事處，由於他已滯留孟買數天，感到十分焦慮，希望能盡快離開。

Niloufer提議他改乘國泰航班，並為他及其同事預訂翌日早上前往耶加達的航班的商務客位，可惜其中一段航班不能使用電子機票，但該乘客因交通癱瘓而無法前往國泰辦事處取票。

Niloufer遂主動表示可親自把機票送到其下榻的酒店。對於如此周到的服務，尤其當其他航空公司均未能聯絡上時，乘客十分欣賞。

其後Niloufer又主動到機場協助，與顧客服務組一同工作至深夜。她的督導對她讚賞有加，正因為她盡心協助乘客，甚至超出自己的本份，對工作充滿熱誠。


******************

機艙服務員Miho Abe
機艙服務員何欣欣 (Jennifer Ho)

Miho得知機上一名76歲的老婦把錢包遺留在家中，擔心她到港後無處留宿，遂主動提出與何欣欣陪同她前往酒店。抵港後她駕車把老婦送到酒店，二人把她安頓好才離開。

該航班的機艙服務經理讚賞二人「絕對發自內心的服務」，即使在下班後仍不辭勞苦，協助該名老婦。

該機艙服務經理也提出Miho另一傑出的服務例子。在值班期間，Miho得悉其中機上兩名老婦生日，遂為她倆準備生日咭，又奉上香檳慶祝，令二人大為感動。Miho的表現確實出眾。


******************

機艙服務員梁賢鳳 (Suki Leung)

梁賢鳳看見一位乘客坐在行李認領處的地上，便上前查問，得知她感到不適，並擔心其與她同機的花貓不知去向如何。

梁賢鳳於是帶這位乘客到貨運區領回她的花貓，並陪同她返家。返抵乘客家門時，已時近深夜。這位乘客十分感激梁賢鳳在她最需要協助時給予幫忙。


******************

機艙服務經理Lynn Arcinas

一位乘客的鞋子不慎被白酒濺污，鞋墊和襪子全濕，機上的物資又未能為乘客作出補償，這位乘客堅持要換上新鞋。

為平息他的怒意，機艙服務經理Lynn答應乘客，為他張羅新鞋墊和新襪子。航機抵達香港後，Lynn馬上購買新鞋墊和襪子。由於那位乘客需轉乘另一航班繼續行程，她把新鞋墊及襪子連同預先寫好的便條交予該航班的機艙服務經理，由她轉交予該乘客。

那位乘客收到後十分高興。為了確保乘客能舒適地繼續行程，Lynn 所做的一切甚至超越了自己的本份，因為她明白在那一刻，多少代用券或賠償也不及一對乾爽的鞋墊來得實際。Lynn小小的心思便能把一次不愉快經歷以歡笑告終。


******************

香港國際機場服務組長余淑卿 (Alice Yue)

一位退休教師從內地乘搭飛機來港，卻因接機大堂太大，不知不覺間跟隨了別的人群登上機場快線，離開了她的團友，直到抵達青衣站始發覺。

慌忙的她幸得一位下了班的艙務員幫忙，陪同她返回機場，並把她帶到余淑卿的櫃檯。余淑卿先安慰她，然後馬上替她查問各航空公司、酒店及旅行社。

猶幸最後她的領隊終於發現她不見了，經航空公司知會後返回機場與她會合。幸得余淑卿的幫忙，這位乘客才能在香港歡度假期。


******************

孟買站顧客服務員Naozad Dastur

一位帶著兩名子女的母親需從孟買乘搭飛機往美國，可惜惡劣天氣及水浸導致機場關閉，多班航班被取消。這位母親每天從市區前往機場等候，還要照顧兩名子女，包括14歲的智障兒子，舟車勞頓下，到了第三天已疲憊不堪。

轉機大堂迫滿了等候的乘客，當值的顧客服務員Naozad察覺到這家人似乎需要特別照顧，於是在幫助同事疏導滯留的人潮之外，還不時給這家人拿飲料，並幫助照顧兩位小朋友。

他與他們談天說地和玩遊戲，又餵他們吃東西，甚至這位母親上洗手間時，幫忙看顧他們。漸漸地，Naozad贏得那位智障男童的信任和友誼。那位母親對Naozad的體貼十分感激，男童甚至捨不得Naozad，離開時不斷回頭與他道別。


******************

溫哥華站營業及票務代理Beatrice van Koeverden
溫哥華站機場服務經理Robert Antoniuk

溫哥華站機場服務經理Robert Antoniuk與營業及票務代理Beatrice van Koeverden發揮團隊精神，竭力協助一位乘客從加拿大飛往紐約，出席雙親的結婚60周年紀念。

由於患有嚴重背痛，這位乘客不能長時間坐下。她曾嘗聯絡另一家航空公司，但他們堅持在五小時的航程中，她只能坐在座位中，動也不動。當她得知國泰亦有航班從溫哥華飛往紐約，而頭等座位可以平放，馬上與公司的職員聯絡。

Beatrice非常熱心幫忙，想盡辦法滿足那位乘客的需要。她先聯絡Robert，看他能否安排那位乘客及其丈夫參觀機上的頭等客位。Robert義不容辭，先為他們安排臨時禁區通行證，並告訴他們頭等座位可以如何調教，以及可怎樣使用椅墊和枕頭，使她在旅途中更感舒適。

夫婦二人感到很滿意，便買下頭等機票。在得知香港往溫哥華的航班稍有延誤後，Beatrice更細心地通知他們，省卻他們在機場等候的時間。二人後來更獲安排由專人陪同經「特快通道」辦理出境手續，舒適地登上航班。

[Kaitak747]

Cathay Pacific celebrates service excellence at Betsy Awards Ceremony

Cathay Pacific Airways today honoured 14 staff for their extraordinary acts of customer service at the 2006 Betsy Awards Presentation Ceremony. From escorting a group of nearly 100 passengers on overnight buses so they could catch their flight in Guangzhou, to braving floods to personally deliver tickets to a passenger stranded in his hotel, Cathay Pacific’s frontline staff provided exceptional service that really touched the hearts of the airline’s passengers.

A Betsy Award is the highest accolade given to Cathay Pacific staff in recognition of their service skills. Today's winners and their stories were short-listed from a big pool of noteworthy customer service acts received from across Cathay Pacific's network last year. Each story was then graded by a judging panel of senior managers on the level of going beyond the call of duty, the value provided to passengers, the level of inspiration to staff and the level of promoting services.

This year, winners came from the Inflight Services Department, the Hong Kong International Airport team, Reservations & Ticketing and from overseas offices. On top of a unique Betsy gold pin and certificate, all winners were also rewarded with the opportunity to enjoy a unique experience ranging from special visits to the Boeing or Airbus aircraft plants to participating in activities such as a Cathay Pacific inaugural flight or UNICEF field trips. The top reward is to shadow Cathay Pacific's Chief Executive for a day.

Speaking at today's ceremony, Cathay Pacific Director Service Delivery Quince Chong said: "Each and every one of our winners today exemplifies the true spirit of service excellence at Cathay Pacific, a tradition we've nurtured over the past 60 years. The Betsy Awards programme is a great way of recognising staff for their special service efforts and motivating others to take their service to a higher level."

HKIA Supervisors Eric Yiu and Wendy Kwan were surprised at being named the top winners at the ceremony today. A delighted Eric said his efforts have paid off. “In Cathay Pacific, whatever you give, you’ll get double in return.” Co-winner Wendy added she’ll work even harder and “provide the best service to every passenger in appreciation of the company’s recognition”.

Betsy was launched in 2005 as Cathay Pacific's corporate recognition programme that aims to express the company's appreciation for acts of extraordinary service performed by staff. See the next pages for details of the extraordinary service stories from Cathay Pacific’s Betsy winners.

TOP STORY FOR BETSY AWARDS 2006

Service without frontiers

Eric Yui & Wendy Kwan - Supervisors, HKIA

A group of nearly 100 Taiwanese passengers had missed their onward flights to Shanghai and Beijing due to their late inbound flight. After waiting for nearly 12 hours at the transfer area with no onward flight, some passengers began to get aggressive. The only option was to book them on flights departing from Guangzhou Airport the next morning.

Supervisors Eric Yui and Wendy Kwan then volunteered to escort the group via Prince Edward to Guangzhou. Upon reaching Prince Edward, three extra people were found in the group. Appealing to the group for patience, Eric and Wendy checked through their documents and did a recount. They found out that two infants were not included in the initial headcount at HKIA and an outsider also got on their bus by mistake.

When they reached the border, Wendy and Eric persuaded Immigration to open three more counters to process the Taiwanese passengers more quickly. They soon cleared the Chinese customs and were back on their buses.

It wasn't the end of Eric and Wendy's problems as the Chinese drivers suddenly decided not to drive unless their fees were tripled. After prolonged negotiations the bus drivers finally return to their seats to start the journey.

Wendy who was nervous about being tricked by the drivers kept herself awake to check the highway signs all the way to Guangzhou. Eric could not sleep either. The scarcity of seats meant Eric had to sit on the steps of the bus next to the driver.

When they arrived Guangzhou airport the terminal was in darkness and they waited with the increasingly concerned passengers until the counters open for business. Wendy and Eric bought water and snacks for all. They also ensured everyone was properly checked-in and in the airside before taking a flight back to Hong Kong themselves.

OTHER NOMINATED STORIES

A flood of compliments

Niloufer Patel – Passenger Sales Executive, Mumbai

The floods caused by the cloudburst over Mumbai had left the whole city paralysed. No public transportation was available and many were stranded.

Passenger Sales Executive Niloufer was lucky get to the office and immediately volunteered to help the Reservations team answer phone calls. She took a call from a passenger holding tickets issued by another airline but he had been unable to reach its office. Anxious and upset after being stranded in the city for several days, he wanted to leave Mumbai as soon as possible.

Niloufer assisted by offering CX as an alternative. As Economy seats weren’t available, she made a business class booking for him and his colleague on a CX flight departing to JKT the next morning.

Unfortunately, paper tickets had to be issued for one of the sectors and the passenger couldn't collect the tickets as public transportation wasn't available. Niloufer then offered to deliver the ticket personally to the passenger at his hotel. He was very impressed with the personalised service from CX at a time when the other airline could not be reached.

After the tickets were delivered, Niloufer then volunteered to help out at the airport where she worked with the Customer Services team until midnight. Her efforts in going beyond the call of duty to help a passenger in need and job enthusiasm were greatly commended by her supervisors.

Helping hands

Miho Abe, Flight Attendant, ISD
Jennifer Ho , Flight Attendants, ISD

Flight Attendant Miho learnt that a 76-year-old passenger had difficulty getting to her accommodation in Hong Kong as she had left her wallet back home. Concerned, she offered to accompany the passenger to the hotel together with fellow Flight Attendant Jennifer.

Miho drove everyone there. When they reached the hotel, Jennifer took the passenger inside to introduce her to the staff. Jennifer also made the hotel staff promise to take care of the passenger during her stay in Hong Kong.

The two crew were commended by their Inflight Service Manager for offering “absolute Service Straight From the Heart” and going way beyond the call of duty to assist the elderly passenger.

A lesson in caring

Stephanie Huh - Flight Attendants, ISD
Tammy Or - Flight Attendants, ISD
Nicky Yim – Flight Attendant, ISD

An elderly passenger was travelling alone on a long-haul flight and had problems walking, making it difficult for her to go to the toilet herself.

Flight Attendants Stephanie, Tammy and Nicky took turns to help the passenger to the bathroom. They even went to the extent of helping her change her soiled undergarments.

The crew did their best to assist the old lady in a way that caused minimum inconvenience to others and the least embarrassment to the passenger herself.

The purr-fect escort

Suki Leung – Flight Attendant, ISD

Off-duty crew Suki noticed a passenger sitting on the floor near the baggage reclaim area. She approached the lady and learnt that she wasn't feeling well. At the same time, she was also anxious about her cat which had been checked in on the same flight.

Suki accompanied the lady to the cargo area to collect her cat and also escorted her home. It was almost midnight by the time they got there and the passenger was very grateful to Suki for being there when she need help most

High and dry

Lynn Arcinas , Inflight Services Manager, ISD

A passenger was understandably irate after wine was spilled over his feet. It was an accident, but no onboard compensation was adequate.

Inflight Service Manager Lynn promised she would get him some new insoles and socks for him and dashed to the airport shops after arriving in Hong Kong. She then raced back to meet the ISM of his connecting flight so that she could hand the items to the man along with a hand-written note.

The passenger was very happy with the gifts and the way Lynn went way beyond the call of duty.

A calming influence

Alice Yue – Service Leader, HKIA

Alice, a Service Leader at HKIA, was on hand to help an elderly passenger who was separated from her tour group when they landed in Hong Kong and ended up on her own at Tsing Yi station.

An off-duty crew escorted the lady back to the airport and Alice took it upon herself to calm the frantic passenger, checking with her airline, hotel and travel agent.

Luckily the tour leader realised the passenger was missing and was asked to return to the airport to get her. Everyone was grateful for the support Alice offered.

Building a rapport
Naozad Dastur, Customer Services Officer, Mumbai

The closure of Mumbai airport due to flooding meant a stressful time for a passenger and her two children. The lady was completely worn out after three consecutive days of trying to get a flight to the US.

All grounded passengers had to wait in the crowded transit lounge, and Customer Services Officer Naozad realised the family need special attention. He offered them drinks and helped to look after the two kids, one of them a mentally handicapped 14-year-old.

Naozad soon earned the trust and friendship of the boy, who was reluctant to say goodbye when the family finally could get on flight.

An anniversary treat

Robert Antoniuk, Airport Services Manager, Vancouver
Beatrice van Koeverden, Sales and Ticketing Agent, Vancouver

Vancouver Airport Services Manager Robert Antoniuk and Sales & Ticketing Agent Beatrice van Koeverden displayed great teamwork and commitment in helping a passenger fly from Canada to New York for her parents’ 60th wedding anniversary.

The lady had a severe medical condition that meant she could sit for only very short periods. She contacted CX after learning that it had flat seats in First Class for her flight to New York.

Beatrice put considerable thought into how the passenger's needs could be met, while Robert arranged temporary airside passes so the lady could see how the seat works and what could be done to make the journey more comfortable.

[hkskyline]

Cathay to give its jets inflight health checks
2 May 2006
The Nation (Thailand)

Cathay Pacific Airways has announced that it will license a state-of-the-art inflight aircraft-monitoring system from Boeing to track the condition of its 43 twin-aisle jets.

Boeing's Airplane Health Management (AHM) will give Cathay Pacific a real-time tracking tool to identify potential problems to help establish a timely maintenance programme.

Cathay will use the system to track its fleet of existing and to-be-delivered 777s and 747-400s. It is designed to be integrated into existing maintenance and engineering systems.

During a flight, AHM gathers data about faults and relays that information in real time to ground personnel. Maintenance crews can then be ready with the necessary parts and tools to make repairs as soon as the aircraft lands.

The system can reduce the number and length of aircraft delays and convert many tasks from non-routine to scheduled maintenance.

"Cathay Pacific is an airline-industry bellwether due to its reputation for smart management and informed decision-making," said Lou Mancini, vice president and general manager of Boeing Commercial Aviation Services.

"For Cathay Pacific, one of the key benefits of AHM is the ability to

manage a large fleet of aircraft by the effective use of technology rather

than manpower," said Rob Wales, manager of Cathay Pacific's maintenance support.

"By using real-time fault-forwarding linked to Boeing and airline documentation and integrated into the airline's engineering and maintenance system, staff have a powerful knowledge base. This ultimately results in improved operational performance."

AHM is a key technology in Boeing's effort to e-enable the air transport system. Central to the effort is the idea that data, information and knowledge are shared across an entire enterprise to allow airlines to make the best decisions to operate their fleets at the highest levels of safety, security and efficiency.

The system is designed to integrate with other e-enabled products.

In addition, AHM supports long-term fleet-reliability programmes by helping airline's identify recurring faults and trends. Data collected from one airline can be used to guide repair decisions, based on history and fleet experience at another airline operating the same aircraft type.

[hkskyline]

HK's Cathay Pacific To Offer 1,600 Crew Early Retirement
4 May 2006

HONG KONG, May 04, 2006 (DJCS via Comtex) -- Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong's leading carrier, said Friday it is offering early retirement to 1,600 cabin crew to offset surging fuel prices and operating costs that are eating heavily into profits.

Cabin crew with more than 15 years of experience - about 1,600 people - could opt to retire early and receive up to 17 months' salary on top of their standard retirement benefits, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (0293.HK) spokeswoman Carolyn Leung said.

Cathay Pacific reported in March that its 2005 net profit fell 25% to HK$3.3 billion, down from HK$4.42 billion in 2004, as sharply higher jet fuel prices offset strong growth in passenger demand.

The carrier said during the year its fuel costs rose 67% to HK$15.59 billion, accounting for a third of its operating expenses.

A statement issued by Cathay Pacific said the carrier's first early retirement scheme was aimed at helping its "ongoing cost management efforts to remain competitive."

Experienced crew who choose to leave under the scheme will be replaced through recruiting new staff, the statement said.

Cathay Pacific employs about 11,000 Hong Kong-based staff, 6,800 of whom are cabin crew.

[hkskyline]

22 May 2006
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific named Best Inflight Retailer for second straight year

Cathay Pacific Airways has – for the second consecutive year– been named the “Best Inflight Travel Retailer in Asia Pacific” by travel retail publisher Raven Fox.

The Raven Fox awards, decided in an industry-wide poll, acknowledge the quality of airline inflight sales products. Cathay Pacific carried off the “Best Inflight Travel Retailer in Asia Pacific” trophy in 2005, 2003, 2001 and 1998. The airline was this year also highly commended in the "Best Website Serving the Asia/Pacific Travelling Consumer" category at this year's awards ceremony held in Singapore.

Cathay Pacific has in recent years totally transformed its inflight shopping experience by offering a greater selection of goods – many of which are sold exclusively on Cathay Pacific flights. Shopping has become as much a part of the inflight entertainment experience as movies, music and food.

The airline took inflight shopping to a new high with the launch of “Discover The Shop” magazine, which goes beyond the traditional boundaries of a simple catalogue to include the kind of short features and an exclusive fashion shoot usually seen between the pages of glossy fashion and lifestyle magazines. From October last year, passengers have been able to pre-order goods on a special section the airline’s web site to collect and pay for on their flight.

Cathay Pacific currently offers 197 different items for duty free sale, including special 60th anniversary gifts - an IWC limited-edition Classic Pilot Chronograph watch, an Aigner "Andrea Palladio" lady’s pen with 60 diamonds and Tasaki pearl necklace with 60 Akoya pearls. This will exceed 200 in the next season, starting July. Items range from traditional cosmetics and liquors to exclusive jewellery items. Skincare, perfume, cosmetics, jewellery and watches currently account for almost two-thirds of the airline's inflight sales, and most active sales are on routes to and from Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

Innovate promotions, such as “Discover the Gold” earlier this year in which one in every 20 boxes of Goldkenn had five gram 999.9 purity gold bar have created a buzz among passengers and through the industry, helping the airline clinch the Raven Fox title.

Cathay Pacific Director Service Delivery Quince Chong said: "Cathay Pacific provides not only premium service but premium inflight sales products as well. Winning the Raven Fox award for the second straight year – and in our 60th anniversary year as well – reflects the way we select our inflight sales products, the alignment of the brand with CX's brand, the quality, our partnership with our suppliers and our overall commitment to our passengers. Our thanks go to every member of staff who helped make it happen."

[hkskyline]

Cathay to raise fuel surcharge in June
23 May 2006
South China Morning Post

Cathay Pacific will raise its fuel surcharge on all flights next month, aviation officials said.

Passengers will pay $109 dollars, up from $90, on short flights and $450, up from $370, on long flights.

"The new charge will last until July 31, when Cathay has to apply to either maintain the fare or increase it again," a spokeswoman for the Civil Aviation Department said.

"We are also in the process of looking at 13 other applications for airlines that wish to extend or revise their fuel surcharges."

Cathay Pacific said it regretted charging customers more, but higher oil prices required it.

"The surcharge increase has been prompted by the spiralling rise in jet fuel prices which hit a record high of US$90 a barrel in late April," Cathay said.

"Nevertheless, Cathay Pacific continues to absorb more than half of the fuel cost increases. Fuel surcharge increases have been able to only offset less than half of the fuel cost increases."

The airline also promised to introduce additional cost-saving measures, including using lighter containers and stripping planes of 200kg of paint.

Rival Dragonair also said yesterday it had plans to revise the $90 surcharge it levelled on passengers.

If the authorities approve its increase, the change will also take effect on June 1, but the airline would disclose details of the proposed revision.

Airline spokesman Kenrick Ko said he was not aware of the exact price change requested and the Civil Aviation Department usually permitted such applications.

The announcement comes as Dragonair chief executive Stanley Hui Hon-chung reported a record one-month high in the number of passengers that flew with Dragonair during the Easter and "golden week" holiday around Labour Day earlier this month.

"Large trade shows in Hong Kong and higher leisure travel {hellip} enabled us to break through the 480,000 passenger level for the first time in a single month." he said.

[hkskyline]

Headwinds buffet Cathay cargo plans
26 May 2006
South China Morning Post

Hong Kong's position as the gateway to China has propelled Cathay Pacific Airways into becoming one of the world's biggest carriers of air freight, the highest value - and highest margin - sector of the trade transport industry.

Like most of Asia's premier airlines, Cathay's cargo business has grown to account for more than 33 per cent of overall revenue and, with China set to be the world's factory for at least the next decade, the management has fashioned some very aggressive plans for the division.

A window into just how big those plans are opened this week when it emerged Cathay had reserved the final five slots on Boeing's B747-400F production line. It has only received one of six B474-400SFs it ordered for conversion at its sister facility in Xiamen and has six more options, the first of which must be exercised next month.

Of course slots and options are not firm orders, but if Cathay chooses to exercise all the possibilities, it is looking at 17 new wide-body freighters in the next decade.

Granted some of the aircraft in its present fleet are getting a little long in the tooth - four of its B747-200Fs are 26 years old and two others are 22 and 19 - but the net increase in capacity could be staggering.

So, like other top global cargo carriers, Cathay has big plans for its freight division, including opening the world's biggest general cargo terminal in 2009, the authorities permitting.

It has everything it needs to become one of the world's elite cargo airlines - location, aircraft, access to capital, reputation, vision - but, unlike its rivals, it lacks a single-user cargo terminal at its hub. In fact, Cathay says it is the only major scheduled cargo carrier that operates from a common-user facility at its home base.

This has become problematic for several reasons. First, its cargo-handling costs are the biggest controllable expenditure for Cathay Cargo, an annual outlay it would like greater control over.

The management says handling costs in Hong Kong are "roughly twice the system average" and three times those at comparable regional airports.

Costs aside, the airline believes a single-user facility would differentiate the types of service it can offer, relieve trucking congestion, increase productivity and reduce the cut-off times for delivery of outbound shipments.

Late cut-off times tend to endear a facility to the logistics community, not least to those who choose which airport the goods are sent through, the cargo owners, as they afford the kind of operational flexibility that has been the mainstay of the lucrative express industry. Its power to attract revenue to an airport should not be underestimated.

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd's three-hour cut-off time for pre-packed cargo is one of the reasons our status as the regional hub appears secure despite the best efforts of cross-border rivals in Guangdong.

In a perfect world, Cathay probably would have preferred to not assume the risk of building a facility capable of handling 4.5 million to five million tonnes. A successful bid in the anticipated tender process would probably result in a messy divorce from Hactl, which necessarily would have to include Cathay and parent Swire Pacific selling their combined 30 per cent stake.

But with its cargo business having grown too large to be handled by anyone else but Hactl, Cathay feels the terminal operator has lost the incentive to take care of its biggest customer.

So, for the past six months, the industry has been waiting for the Airport Authority to decide not what's best for Cathay, but what's best for Hong Kong. The authority says it has "no timetable" in which to make the decision on how or if the facility should be awarded.

"The time required depends on the complexity and scale of the projects," an official said.

For Cathay, time is definitely wasting. "No one wants Hong Kong's status as an air cargo hub to be eroded as it has been on the shipping side where, clearly, things didn't work out as well as they should have, probably because of vested interests," Cathay director and cargo supremo Ron Mathison said.

[Kaitak747]

[hkskyline]

RESEARCH ALERT-ABN AMRO cuts Cathay Pacific to "sell"

HONG KONG, May 26 (Reuters) - ABN AMRO cut its rating on Hong Kong flagship carrier Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. to "sell" from "buy", on expectations the firm's earnings will drop because of rising fuel costs and expensive hedging. Difficulty in accessing the mainland Chinese market will also be a factor for Cathay, said ABN AMRO analyst Andrew Tan, who forcasts an earnings drop of 20 percent to HK$2.6 billion (US$333 million) for all of this year.

"The airline needs to move fast before other foreign carriers secure an increasingly higher share of a liberalising Chinese market," Tan said in a note dated May 25.

ABN AMRO, which expects Cathay's hedging gains to be "modest" this year, also lowered its target price on Cathay's stock to HK$11 from HK$16. Cathay Pacific's shares have lost 5.2 percent so far this year through Thursday's close, compared to a 5.5 percent gain in the benchmark Hang Seng Index <.HSI>. The stock was up 0.39 percent at HK$12.90 in morning trade on Friday. (US$1=HK$7.8)

[hkskyline]

31 May 2006
Corporate Press Release
Cathay Pacific To Launch New Freighter Service To Chennai

Cathay Pacific Airways will launch the first direct freighter service between Hong Kong and Chennai on Friday, connecting the world's two fastest growing economies of China and India.

The addition of this southeastern port city of Chennai, formerly Madras, further expands Cathay Pacific's world cargo network and strengthens Hong Kong's position as the world's busiest international air cargo hub and gateway to the Chinese Mainland.

The new twice-weekly freighter service, which operates via Mumbai (Bombay) opens a new market for the airline and offers broader national coverage beyond the existing cargo and passenger services to Delhi and Mumbai.

"Increasingly, Hong Kong's competitive proposition as a global cargo hub hinges on its ability to capture cargo transshipment business, the fastest growing segment in the air cargo market," said Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison.

"Cathay Pacific's new service to Chennai will further enhance the transshipment potential between China and India, between India and the United States, through the Hong Kong hub," he said.

The service will operate every Tuesday and Friday using a Boeing 747-200F freighter. It will depart Hong Kong at 2.05pm, arriving in Mumbai at 5.25pm local time the same day before continuing to Chennai later that afternoon and heading back to Hong Kong at 10.15pm. It arrives in the early hours of the following morning in good time for onward connections to the US.

[vincent]

Cathay Pacific places orders for two additional 777-300ER aircraft

Cathay Pacific Airways today placed orders for two additional advanced wide-body Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, increasing its commitment to a total of 18 since the airline announced its biggest ever order for new aircraft in December last year.

Previously, the airline made commitments for 16 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with purchase rights for 20 more. Two of these purchase rights have now been exercised. The additional two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be acquired through direct purchases from The Boeing Company.

All the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be powered by General Electric GE90-115B engines. The additional two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be delivered in January and September 2008, while the first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft is scheduled to enter service in September 2007.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Philip Chen said: “These additional aircraft orders reflect our determination to expand and grow. More aircraft will allow us to widen our services network and connectivity, further strengthen Cathay Pacific as a home carrier and Hong Kong’s position as a global hub and gateway to the Chinese Mainland. We are wholly confident in the long-term future of the airline and Hong Kong, and committed to the continued profitable growth of Cathay Pacific.”

Cathay Pacific’s fleet currently totals 97 aircraft. Its long-haul fleet comprises 23 Boeing 747-400, 15 Airbus A340-300 and 3 Airbus A340-600 aircraft. The regional fleet comprises 16 Boeing 777-200/300 and 26 Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The airline also operates 14 Boeing 747 freighters.

In addition to the 18 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the airline also has outstanding orders for two Boeing 747-400 aircraft, one Boeing 777-300 aircraft, six Airbus A330-300 aircraft and five 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighters. Cathay Pacific’s fleet will take delivery of its 100th aircraft this summer in the year of its 60th Anniversary.