Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific has cut the ribbon on the 2025 incarnation of its flagship community service initiative, known as the ‘I Can Fly’ youth program. The initiative aims to “inspire young people to pursue their dreams in aviation while contributing positively to society,” according to the carrier.
Launched at a special event held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, Cathay Pacific’s long-standing commitment to promoting youth development in Hong Kong was on full display as the airline hosted hundreds of young Hong Kongers to come and see exactly what the program has to offer them with the ambition of “empowering them to pursue their dreams and nurturing future talent for the aviation industry.”
According to an airline statement, the 2025 edition of ‘I Can Fly’ sees a refreshed format with activities centered on the three themes of ‘Education, Discovery, and Exploration’, in addition to incorporating social service. Across the entire ‘I Can Fly program’, Cathay Pacific will empower some 2,000 young people between the ages of 10 and 18 to pursue their dreams with a focus on aviation-related careers.
Brought to the young people of Hong Kong in collaboration with the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Strive and Rise program and several other community engagement partners, around 870 students from underprivileged backgrounds had the opportunity to explore the world of aviation across two ‘Aviation Explorer Days’, which were also supported by 70 staff volunteers from across Cathay Pacific.
The Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics in Hong Kong, Liu Chun-san was welcomed at the event as the guest of honor by Cathay Pacific Director of People Patricia Hwang. Hwang herself is acting as the Star Mentor of the Government’s Strive and Rise program for the second consecutive year.
“Cathay’s I Can Fly program is a meaningful initiative that not only broadens the participants’ horizons but also ignites their courage to pursue their aviation dreams, “ said Under Secretary Liu. “Quite a number of the locally trained pilots are also graduates of this program, which is not just an orientation course to aviation, but also a dream factory for aviation.”
“This weekend’s Aviation Explorer Days not only give participants a chance to appreciate the external allure of flying but also delve deeper into uncovering its inner mysteries, offering a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes operations of the aviation industry, and discovering the endless possibilities in store for them. I would like to extend my thanks to all industry partners in support of the initiative, as well as to the Cathay volunteers and mentors from the Strive and Rise Programme. I hope all participants will embrace their curiosity and passion to explore boldly and carve out their own paths in the skies,” Lui added.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome all of our participating students to our Aviation Explorer Days as we kick off our flagship, I Can Fly program for 2025, “ said Cathay’s Patricia Hwang. “We sincerely hope that their experiences will further ignite their passion for aviation, motivate them to consider pursuing a career in this exciting and dynamic industry, and inspire them to create positive change in society.
“With our deep roots in Hong Kong, Cathay is committed to being a force of positivity for our community, focusing on the advancement of youth development, sports, and arts and culture to create a brighter future for all. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all of our volunteers, the Government, and our partners for their invaluable support in making these fantastic occasions possible.”
More about ‘I Can Fly’
As part of the Exploration pillar of the program, Cathay Pacific will be hosting I Can Fly Aviation Explorer Days throughout the 2025 calendar year. These experiences include tours of the wider Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) area, including Cathay City, Cathay Dining, Cathay Cargo Terminal, and Cathay Academy, as well as talks about the history of the aviation industry, and career mentorship.
Additionally, the Education pillar will feature the I Can Fly Youth Academy, a five-month aviation training course, while the Discovery pillar will offer an experience that will culminate with an I Can Fly air experience flight towards the end of 2025.
According to the carrier’s statement, “These initiatives provide unique experiences for Hong Kong’s young people to gain a better understanding of the world of aviation and the many different career opportunities available, while also nurturing future talent for the industry to strengthen Hong Kong’s international aviation hub status.”
The I Can Fly program was first launched in 2003 and aims to empower Hong Kong’s youth by igniting their ambitions and enabling them to explore broader career opportunities. Over 4,400 students have graduated from the program since its inception, with many alumni already pursuing careers in aviation.