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Cathay Pacific

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Cathay Pacific Airways
國泰航空公司
File:CX Logo.PNG
IATA ICAO Call sign
CX CPA Cathay
Founded1946
HubsHong Kong International Airport
Focus citiesChiang Kai-shek International Airport
Bangkok International Airport
Frequent-flyer programAsia Miles
The Marco Polo Club
Allianceoneworld
Fleet size100(+36 orders)
Destinations92
Parent companySwire Group (Swire Pacific)
HeadquartersHong Kong
Key peoplePhilip Chen (CEO)
Christopher Dale Pratt (Chairman)
Websitehttp://www.cathaypacific.com

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited (simplified Chinese: 国泰航空有限公司; traditional Chinese: 國泰航空有限公司; pinyin: Guótài Hángkōng Yŏuxiàn Gōngsī; abbreviation: 國泰/国泰) (SEHK: 293) is an Asian commercial airline based in Hong Kong and operating scheduled passenger and cargo services to 90 destinations world-wide. Its main base is Hong Kong International Airport. It is one of the four airlines to carry a "five star" rating from Skytrax.

History

Boeing 747-400 at Hong Kong Chep Lap Kok Airport
A Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-400 aircraft at London Heathrow Airport
Cleaning a Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-400 at London Heathrow Airport
A Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 at Taipei Chiang Kai-shek Airport

Cathay Pacific Airways was founded in Shanghai on September 24, 1946 by American Roy Farrell and Australian Sydney de Kantzow, both ex-air force, who each put up HK$1 to register the airline. According to legend, the airline was conceived by Farrell and some foreign correspondents at the bar of the Manila Hotel. On Cathay Pacific's maiden voyage, Roy Farrell and Sydney de Kantzow flew from Hong Kong to Manila, and later on to Shanghai. They had a single Douglas C-47. The company initially flew routes between Hong Kong, Sydney, Manila, Singapore, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, while scheduled service was limited to Manila, Singapore and Bangkok only. In 1948 Butterfield & Swire bought 45% of Cathay Pacific, with Australian National Airways taking 35% and Farrell and de Kantzow taking 10% each. The new company began operations on 1 July 1948 and was registered as Cathay Pacific Airways (1948) Ltd on 18 October 1948. Swire later acquired 52% of Cathay Pacific and today the airline still is part of the Swire Group through Swire Pacific.

The airline prospered into the 1960s, buying rival Hong Kong Airways in 1959, recording double digit growth until 1967, acquiring its first jet engined aircraft (Convair 880), and beginning international routes to airports in Japan. By 1966 the airline had carried a million passengers. Expansion continued throughout the 1970s and especially into the 1980s, when an industry-wide boom encouraged route growth to many European centres and when Cathay Pacific went public in 1986. In January 1990, Cathay Pacific and its parent company, Swire Pacific, acquired a significant shareholding in Dragonair, and a 60% stake in cargo airline Air Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific was hurt by the Asian recession of the late 1990s, undergoing a reorganization and developing a new identity.

In 1996 the Chinese CITIC bought a 25% stake in Cathay Pacific. The Swire Group holding was reduced to 44% as two other Chinese companies, CNAC and CTS also bought substantial holdings. In September 1998 Cathay Pacific became a founding member of the oneworld alliance.

In 2004 the airline had a turnover of HK$ 39,065 million and made a profit of HK$ 4,417 million. On June 9, 2006, Cathay Pacific underwent a shareholding realignment under which Dragonair would be wholly owned by Cathay Pacific but continue to operate under its own brand, Air China, and its subsidiary CNAC Limited, would acquire a 17.5% stake in Cathay Pacific, and Cathay Pacific would double its shareholding in Air China to 20%. CITIC would reduce its shareholding to 17.5%, and Swire would reduce its shareholding to 40%.

In 2006, the airline celebrated its 60th anniversary, the biggest anniversary celebration held in the airline's history. The airline held a year of roadshows named the "Cathay Pacific 60th Anniversary Skyshow" where the public got to see the developments of the airline through the last 60 years and got to view vintage uniforms of the airline's crew demonstrated by their own flight attendants. Cathay Pacific also introduced a series of the 60th anniversary merchandise such as airplane models, bags, T-shirts, vintage uniform flight attendant dolls, etc. At the same time, Cathay also introduced inflight meals served by famous restaurants in Hong Kong in collaboration with the celebrations. Because the 60th birthday in Chinese culture is auspicious, Cathay Pacific gave bonusus to their own staff as lucky money.

Acquisition of Dragonair

On 9th June 2006, Cathay Pacific, Swire Pacific, Air China, CNAC and CITIC Pacific have reached an agreement to change the shareholder structure of Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and Air China. Under the agreement, which was approved by four companies' shareholders on August 22, Dragonair will be wholly owned by Cathay Pacific. Air China will acquire a 17.5% stake in Cathay Pacific, and Cathay Pacific will double its shareholding in Air China to 20%.

Swire will remain the principal, long-term shareholder in Cathay Pacific. Dragonair will continue to operate under its own brand, but under Cathay Pacific's management.

Cathay Pacific and Air China will continue to develop closer cooperation on many fronts, including establishing an air cargo joint venture in Shanghai.

Under the agreement:

1. Dragonair will become the wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific - Cathay Pacific has offered to acquire the remaining 82.21% shareholding in Dragonair that it does not already own for HK$8.22 billion, turning it into a wholly owned subsidiary. - The consideration for the Dragonair shares will be a combination of the issue of new Cathay Pacific shares at HK$13.50 each and cash.

2. Air China will become a substantial shareholder of Cathay Pacific - Air China will acquire Cathay Pacific shares from Swire Pacific and CITIC Pacific at HK$13.50 each. Air China will therefore become a shareholder of Cathay Pacific with a 10.16% equity interest for a total consideration of HK$5.39 billion. In aggregate, Air China and its subsidiary CNAC Limited will own an aggregate 17.5% of Cathay Pacific. - Both Swire and CITIC have also undertaken to further reduce their respective shareholding in Cathay Pacific to 40% and 17.5% within 12 months of the completion of the agreement by selling Cathay Pacific shares in the open market.

3. Cathay Pacific will increase its shareholding in Air China - Cathay Pacific has agreed to subscribe in cash for 1,179 million Air China H shares at HK$3.45 per each Air China H share, increasing its shareholding in Air China to 20% from 10% at a total cost of HK$4.1 billion. - Reflecting its confidence in the benefits and synergies from acquiring Dragonair, Cathay Pacific has agreed to pay a special dividend of HK$0.32 per share upon completion of the transaction.

It was also reported that as part of the deal, the Dragonair brand may be phased out 6 years later.

Reference: Cathay Pacific Website

Awards

Cathay Pacific was named World's Best Overall Airline in 2003 and 2005 by Skytrax survey. The airline was also awarded with Best First Class, Best First Class Lounge (Hong Kong), and Best Business Class Lounge (Hong Kong) by Skytrax. Source The airline was named Airline of the Year 2006 by Air Transport World (ATW). Source

It was also named Airline of the Year 2006 by OAG. Source

Onboard entertainment

Personal TV (PTV)

  • Cathay Pacific's PTV system is called StudioCX.
  • PTV is available in all classes and on all flights. Passengers in all classes can choose from more than 20 different video channels. Ten interactive games are available on all long-haul flights if the AVOD is avaliable on the aircraft.
  • Audio/Video on Demand (AVOD) service is available for all First and Business Class passengers on all long-haul flights.
  • The StudioCX system is being upgraded in all classes. AVOD is now available in Economy Class on Boeing B747-400s, Airbus A340s (both -300s and -600s) and selected A330-300s(long-haul ones). However, they are not avaliable for the Boeing 777-200s and -300s.
  • StudioCX provides programmes and films mainly in Cantonese and English with some programmes in Mandarin, Korean and Japanese. On selected routes there are also English-language movies with alternative soundtracks in a range of European and Asian languages.
  • Starting from February 2006, first and business class passengers travelling on long-haul flights operated by Cathay Pacific will be given a wider range of entertainment choices. The selection will include 50 movies and 100 TV shows, almost 50 percent more than before, available on demand.

Inflight magazine

Further information: Discovery (Magazine)

Inflight audio

  • There are over 22 audio channels
  • There are over 100 CD albums in 11 genres for First & Business Class Passengers
  • English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese are available in all flights.
  • Korean, Thai, Hindi, Tagalog and Bahasa Malaysia are available in some flights only.

Reference: Cathay Pacific Website

Cathay Pacific network

Further information: Cathay Pacific destinations
File:CXRouteMap.jpg
Cathay Pacific passenger route map as of 2 April 2006
  • Cathay Pacific Cargo has launched daily freighter services from Hong Kong to Shanghai using Boeing 747-200F aircraft, making it the second mainland China city served after it resumed passenger services to Beijing in December 2003, after a 13 year break (ref: Airliner World, March 2005).
  • The first flight to land at the new Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, was the Cathay Pacific flight CX6889 from New York's JFK Airport, USA, non-stop and flying over the North Pole, which arrived on July 6, 1998. This flight was named Polar One.
  • The JFK-HKG flight path has now become the main route from the U.S. East Coast to Asia. The non-stop route from Hong Kong to New York JFK over the North Pole (CX830/831) became fully operational on 1 July 2004 with A340-600 aircraft. It is Cathay Pacific's longest direct flight, as well as one of the longest direct flights by distance in the world at 8055mi or 12968km, lasting for approximately 16 hours. Continental Airlines also operates on this route, departing from EWR.
  • After 25 years of operating flights to London, Cathay Pacific announced on June 27 2005 the addition of a fourth daily non-stop flight to the British capital. The new service began on December 1 2005 and is operated by an Airbus A340-300 in a three class configuration. Two daily London flights are operated by A340-300's and another two by B747-400's.
  • On August 1 2005, Cathay Pacific added a third daily non-stop service to Los Angeles with a B747-400. All three LAX-HKG flights are operated by 747's.
  • On November 1 2005, Cathay Pacific added a second daily non-stop flight to and from Jakarta. This new service is operated by an Airbus A330-300 (two class configuration). The current one-stop service to Jakarta via Singapore have been discontinued.
  • On December 7 2005 Cathay Pacific announced it will strengthen Hong Kong and Europe's connections with a daily service to Rome, starting March 27 2006. Cathay Pacific is the only airline that operates direct flights to Italy from Hong Kong.
  • On 29 March 2006, Cathay Pacific announced it will launch its first freighter service to Chennai, starting 2 June 2006.
  • On 19 June 2006, Cathay Pacific announced it will add Stockholm, Toronto to freighter network. Stockholm will be the extension of Cathay Pacific’s existing flight to Munich, commencing 17 September 2006. As for Toronto, it will be the extension of the airline’s freighter service to New York, commencing 20 September 2006.

Codeshare partners

Cathay Pacific's network is expanding rapidly with codeshare links from oneworld hubs such as American Airlines' Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami International Airport, Los Angeles, and British Airways' London Heathrow.

Cathay Pacific has also started to codeshare on France SNCF TGV Trains from Aéroport Charles-de-Gaulle TGV Station to ten French cities.

Recently, Cathay Pacific and British Airways have expanded their codeshare agreement. Zurich has been added to one of the Cathay Pacific's codeshare destinations.

  • The following are codeshare partners and codeshare links of Cathay Pacific:
    • Air China: Cathay Pacific is codesharing with Air China on flights between Hong Kong and Beijing. Cathay Pacific has a 20% equity holding in Air China.
    • Aeroflot: The launch of Cathay Pacific's service to Moscow is postponed. The airline continues to put its "CX" code on Aeroflot's four flights weekly between Hong Kong and Moscow.
    • American Airlines (oneworld member): Cathay Pacific puts its code on American Airlines' flights to more than 20 US cities from American Airlines' destinations including Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth and New York.
    • British Airways (oneworld member): British Airways carries the "CX" code to more than 15 European cities from London Heathrow as well as 3 destinations in South Africa from Johannesburg. Cathay Pacific also carries the "BA" code from Hong Kong to some South Asian and Australasian destinations such as Denpasar (Bali) and Auckland.
    • Comair (oneworld affiliate): Starting from 1 September 2006, Cathay Pacific’s "CX" code will be placed on British Airways' Comair flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
    • Iberia Airlines (oneworld member): Cathay Pacific codeshares on Iberia's flights from Amsterdam to Madrid and from London to Barcelona. In return, Iberia puts its "IB" code on Cathay Pacific's flights between Amsterdam (CX270/271 - IB7762/7763), London (CX250/251 - IB7760/7761) and Hong Kong.
    • Japan Airlines (oneworld member-to-be): Cathay Pacific codeshares with Japan Airlines from Hong Kong to Fukuoka, Nagoya and Osaka.
    • Malaysia Airlines: Cathay Pacific codeshares with Malaysia Airlines on flights between Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
    • Qantas (oneworld member): Cathay Pacific carries "QF" code from Hong Kong to Rome. However, there is no codeshare agreement for flights between Hong Kong and Australia.
    • SNCF TGV Trains: Cathay Pacific puts its "CX" code on the train services from Paris' Aéroport Charles-de-Gaulle TGV Station to Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, Poitiers, St-Pierre des Corps / Tours and Valence.
    • Vietnam Airlines: Cathay Pacific codeshares with Vietnam Airlines on all flights between Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Flight numbers

Flight numbers are allocated according to geographical regions:

Fleet

Cathay Pacific's aircraft fleet consists of 100 planes, of which are 36 fitted with 3 classes of service (First, Long-haul Business, and Economy) for long-haul flights and 47 are fitted with 2 classes of service (Long-haul/Regional Business and Economy) for short-haul flights and some long-haul flights. The fleet also includes 13 freighters. Cathay Pacific has made 36 aircraft orders, 2 of which are aircraft from the fleet being reconfigured into freighters.

Current fleet by aircraft size
(as of 30 August 2006)
Aircraft In Operation
(on order)		 Seat Configuration Notes
Airbus A330-300 (330)20 (5)J44/Y267(311)With new Regional Business Class on some aircraft
Airbus A330-300 (333)7F8/J32/Y211(251)With new Long Haul Business Class
Airbus A340-300 (34C)5F8/J30/Y205(243)With new Long Haul Business Class
Airbus A340-300 (34D)10J30/Y257(287)With new Long Haul Business Class
Airbus A340-600 (346)3F8/J60/Y218(286)With new Long Haul Business Class and Enhanced Economy Class
Boeing 747-200F7-
Boeing 747-400 (744)17 (3) F12/J47/Y324(383)With new Long Haul Business Class
Boeing 747-400 Premium (74J)4F12/J65/Y268(345)With new Long Haul Business Class
Boeing 747-400F6 -
Boeing 747-400BCF2 (4)-
Boeing 747-400ERF0 (6)-
Boeing 777-200 (772)5J45/Y291(336)With new Regional Business Class on some aircraft
Boeing 777-300 (773)12J59/Y326(385)With new Regional Business Class on some aircraft
Boeing 777-300ER (77W)0 (18)N/AProbably with new Long Haul Business Class
File:CX777-300ER.jpg
Cathay Pacific's B777-300ER

At April 2006 the average age of the Cathay Pacific fleet was 7.0 years.

On July 29 2005, Cathay Pacific took delivery of its 95th aircraft, an Airbus A330-300 aircraft, which is equipped with new-generation entertainment system. Cathay Pacific has 5 more Airbus A330-300s on firm order and will also be adding to its fleet 13 747-400s, some new and some reconfigured from the fleet. By September 2006, Cathay's 60th anniversary, the fleet size reached 100 aircraft.

On December 1, 2005, Cathay Pacific announced one of the biggest aircraft order in its history, ordering 16 777-300ER aircraft (12 from Boeing and 4 on lease from ILFC) to be delivered between September 2007 and July 2010, plus options on 20 more of the type, in which 2 of the options are converted to orders on June 1, 2006. The airline intends to use the 777-300ERs to displace existing A340s, some of which are early models with payload limitations. Cathay Pacific also ordered 3 more Airbus A330-300 from Airbus the same day, with the delivery of the aircraft in 2008. Cathay Pacific may soon reach a decision regarding the issue of how the airline's future high-capacity long-haul requirements are to be fulfilled by ordering either the A380-800 or the 747-8. However, the airline may be headed towards an order for the 747-8 in exchange for more US routes; it is said to be in negotiation with Boeing for this.

On June 1, 2006, Cathay Pacific placed orders for two more Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, increasing its commitment to a total of 18 aircrafts of this type. Previously, the airline placed firm orders for 16 777-300ERs with purchase rights to 20 more. Two of these purchase rights have now been exercised. All of these aircrafts will be powered by General Electric GE90-115B engines.

On July 27, 2006, Cathay Pacific received its 99th aircraft, a 777-367, with the registration code of B-HNQ. On August 29, 2006, Cathay Pacific received its 100th aircraft, a 330-343, with the registration of B-LAD which was named "Progress Hong Kong" in a Cathay Pacific crew staff competition at a special handover ceremony at the Airbus factory in Toulouse. This aircraft carries a special livery. The aircraft arrived in Hong Kong on 30th August and was commemorated with a replica of "Niki", Cathay Pacific's second aircraft which will eventually be located at the entry to Cathay Pacific headquarters.

On August 29, 2006, Cathay Pacific took delivery of its 100th aircraft, an Airbus A330-300 with registration B-LAD. The aircraft acceptance ceremony took place in Toulouse. Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Philip Chen accepted the aircraft on the airline's behalf from Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers John Leahy. Guest of Honour at the acceptance ceremony was Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, The Honourable Rafael Hui. Representing Rolls-Royce, which has supplied the Trent 700 engines used on the latest fleet addition, was Senior Vice President Asia and Middle East Mick Forey. The aircraft was painted in a special 60th anniversary livery with a 60th anniversary sticker behind the second doors (L-2 and R-2) and the letters '100th aircraft' at the rear of the aircraft. The aircraft was named 'Progress Hong Kong', a name that was chosen out of a naming competition by the flight attendants.

Historic fleet

Since its foundation in 1946, Cathay Pacific had operated many types. The first two Cathay Pacific aircraft were two World War II surplus Douglas DC-3 named Betsy and Nikki. Aircraft that have been in service with Cathay Pacific are:

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Cathay Pacific was the largest operator of Lockheed Tristar outside the USA.

Loyalty programmes

Main article: Asia Miles

Cathay Pacific has 2 programmes: the Marco Polo Club ("The Club") and Asia Miles. The Marco Polo Club allows members exclusive benefits. Asia Miles is a separate travel reward programme that comprises a variety of airlines and hotel partners in Asia, as well as credit / charge card companies, car rental agencies, telecommunication companies and other non-airline partners. Members of 'The Club' are automatically enrolled as Asia Miles members.

Source: Asia Miles-Home

Trivia

  • The Boeing customer code of Cathay Pacific is 67. Therefore the number of a Boeing 747-400 for Cathay Pacific is 747-467.
  • One of the two Douglas DC-3s, 'Betsy', is now a permanent exhibit in the Hong Kong Science Museum.
  • The bar inside Cathay Pacific's award winning lounge, 'The Wing' at HKIA is 80 feet long. That's long enough to serve up to 348 cocktail drinks at a time, side by side.
  • Cathay Pacific offers 138 newspaper titles and 181 magazine titles on its routes. That includes English, Chinese, Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Hindi, Indoesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cathay Pacific.
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