After a five-year absence, 300 students have graduated from Cathay Pacific’s ‘I Can Fly’ program at a special ceremony in which the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, John Lee Ka-Chiu, delivered a congratulatory speech.
Launched in 2003, the ‘I Can Fly’ program is designed to foster youth development and nurture future leaders for the Hong Kong aviation industry but was halted due to the COVD-19 pandemic.
Following six months of learning and engagement, the students came together to celebrate their graduation on August 31, 2024, in front of Cathay Pacific Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau, who hosted the event.
“With the support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong is striving to strengthen its status as an international aviation hub. Talent is a crucial pillar of the aviation industry, and attracting talent requires substantial support from within the sector. I would like to thank Cathay for its continued efforts in promoting youth development over the years,” Ka-Chiu said.
He added: “Initiatives like I Can Fly offer young people the opportunity to explore the aviation world, gain insights into its operations and carve out their career paths, ultimately contributing to the expansion of Hong Kong’s aviation talent pool. I hope the I Can Fly programme will continue to reach new heights and serve as the engine to empower young people’s pursuit of their aviation dreams.”
During the program, the students toured Cathay’s aviation facilities and departments and those of the wider airport community.
They took part in a series of aviation activities and training, including new courses on digital technology and Cathay Cargo.
They also visited Zhuhaiin in China as part of an exchange tour to gain knowledge about the Chinese aviation industry.
During the summer, 30 students who showed particular promise, went to Flight Training Adelaide in Australia, where Cathay Pacific cadet pilots learn to fly.
“The I Can Fly programme is Cathay’s flagship youth development initiative. We are delighted to have witnessed the growth and progress of our programme members throughout this remarkable journey, and to see their passion for the aviation industry and awareness of social issues deepen. I am extremely proud of their hard work and accomplishments and look forward to seeing them flourish in the aviation industry in the future,” Lau said.
According to Cathay, including this year’s graduates, over 4,400 members have been through the program, with many having taken up careers within the aviation industry since.
