Cathay Pacific Welcomes 100th Aircraft

Cathay Pacific celebrated its 60th anniversary with the delivery of its 100th aircraft, in Toulouse, France. The Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSARG, Mr Rafael Hui, officiated at the delivery ceremony, which also marked the 60th anniversary of Hong Kong's civil aviation industry.

In 1946, when the Government established its Directorate of Air Services, the Hong Kong airline started its business with one plane. In 60 years, Cathay Pacific has reached a fleet size of 100, and has been repeatedly rated the World's Best Airline by various organizations.

Noting that an efficient airport structure is essential to the success of any economy, Mr. Hui said that "Cathay Pacific, in the absence of market protection or government subsidy that are quite common in other parts of the world, has thrived on its own efforts and become simply the envy of many airlines in the world.” 

The Government's respect for the market and its steadfast commitment to maintaining a level and open playing field for all had provided the environment for Cathay Pacific, like all other Hong Kong airlines, to build up its strength through decades of keen competition, Mr Hui remarked.

Hong Kong's world-class airport has been rated the World's Best since 2001 for five years in a row, offering the travelling public an aviation network reaching some 150 regional and long-haul destinations.

Last year, 40.7 million passengers and 3.4 million tonnes of cargo passed through Hong Kong International Airport, representing an increase of 9.7% and 10% respectively over 2004. Continued growth in 2006 and beyond is expected.

Mr Hui said Hong Kong's strength as an aviation hub also helped another pillar of the economy - tourism - by bringing ever more visitors, thus helping Hong Kong become the world's seventh most popular tourists destination, and the only single city destination in the top 10.

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