The Cathay Pacific Group recently introduced a four-time weekly service from Hong Kong to Davao City, on its regional airline Cathay Dragon. The announcement was made Oct. 28 at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, where the media and locals awaited the inaugural flight from Hong Kong to Davao.
Local fire trucks welcomed the Cathay flight with a traditional water salute. Media guests and Cathay crew observed from lounge area windows as the plane passed under the water arch and parked on the tarmac.
And then passengers on the Cathay Dragon flight from Hong Kong trickled into the arrival area. A mix of Filipinos and HK folk were greeted by Cathay staff, along with Ronald Lam, Cathay Pacific director for commercial and cargo.
“We are happy to extend Cathay’s signature airline experience to the people of Davao and the rest of Mindanao,” Lam said in his opening remarks at the Davao International Airport. “We hope that this route will make it easier for more people to discover the beauty, history and economic potential of Mindanao.”
Also present at the event were Davao City Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag, Department of Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Manuel Antonio L. Tamayo, area manager for Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Davao Agnes Udang, and airport manager for CAAP Davao Rex Obcena.
“With the new direct flight, the Cathay Pacific Group is giving Davaoeños a connection, through the airline’s Hong Kong hub, to over 200 destinations in its network,” said Lam in a separate press briefing at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City, a day after the inaugural flight.
“Before, people in Mindanao had to go to Manila or Cebu to fly to Hong Kong. With our new direct flight, there’s no more need for that,” he added.
Aside from the convenience afforded by the direct access to Hong Kong, returning overseas Filipino workers based in Davao would also appreciate having a direct flight to Mindanao, noted Cathay Pacific country manager Rob Bradshaw.
“Most of them only get one holiday a year,” said Bradshaw. “They want to maximize their time home, so the ease of not having to go through a hub in Cebu or Manila is a great help for them.”
According to Lam, advanced bookings were so encouraging that they added eight more flights this December and in January 2019, to cater to the holiday peak season.
Meanwhile, Bradshaw reminded everyone of the close ties between Manila and Hong Kong, citing that Manila was one of Cathay Pacific’s first destinations since the company’s founding in 1946.
“We’ve been here in this market for 72 years now. We remain committed to the Philippines. We want to grow here,” said Bradshaw. —CONTRIBUTED
www.cathaypacific.ph
