Cathay Pacific has announced that it will seek to boost its regional network by expanding relationships with its ASEAN neighbors (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in a move that will also see the carrier support the future economic development of Hong Kong.
Joining a high-level delegation led by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government John Lee Ka-chiu, Cathay Group’s Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam has recently concluded a six-day visit to three ASEAN countries (Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam) which according to an airline statement “underscores the region’s significance to Cathay’s expanding network and future growth, as well as to Hong Kong’s economic development.”
During his tour of the trio of countries, Lam reportedly toured a range of local enterprises and major infrastructure projects in the countries to gain insights into the latest developments and to “seek out new avenues to foster synergy and strengthen ties in trade, commerce, technology and tourism between Hong Kong and the vibrant ASEAN region.”
“As Hong Kong’s home carrier, Cathay Pacific is committed to furthering the growth of Hong Kong as an international aviation hub and enhancing connectivity between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland to the rest of the world,” said Lam. “Our visit to the three ASEAN countries attests to the immense potential we see in these dynamic regional markets.
“The completion of Hong Kong International Airport’s Three-Runway System will unlock great opportunities for us to grow in the future. We will continue to strengthen our existing routes and deepen our network and collaboration across ASEAN to seize these growth opportunities,” Lam added.
The Cathay Group, which includes passenger airlines Cathay Pacific and HK Express, currently operates 360 flights per week to 17 destinations in ASEAN countries.
While in Cambodia, Lam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambodia Airports Chief Executive Officer Cyril Girot to reinforce the partnership between the two organizations. As part of the MoU, Cathay Pacific will boost its flight frequency to Phnom Penh from five per week to daily starting from October 27, 2024, which according to the carrier “reflects its confidence in the Cambodia market and growing customer demand.”
Vietnam in focus
In 2024, the carrier is marking 75 years since it operated its first flight to Vietnam. Cathay Pacific and HK Express currently operate flights to three destinations in Vietnam, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang. Meanwhile, in a bid to expand the Group’s presence in the country, HK Express, Cathay’s low-cost subsidiary, plans to launch a new route to Phu Quoc in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Earlier this year, Cathay Pacific recruited more than 170 Vietnamese cabin crew members to join its diverse team, demonstrating the importance of the Vietnam market and how Cathay has been embracing the Hong Kong SAR Government’s expanded talent schemes to enable skilled professionals from Vietnam, Laos, and Nepal to work in Hong Kong since October 2023. A further round of recruitment in Vietnam will be conducted in August 2024.
The ASEAN region has become something of a hotbed for airline growth and cooperation in recent months, as demand for air travel in the region soars. As reported by AeroTime in July 2024, Vietnam-based low-cost carrier VietJet recently said it would invest in further services between its home country and Laos as the carrier seeks to boost tourism between the two countries.
