CATHAY Pacific Airways, Hong Kong’s home airline, and Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) recently celebrated the launch of the new four-times-weekly service between Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong with a traditional Chinese lion dance at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The airline’s service will be the first and only direct flight connecting the UAE capital to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The route promises to offer Abu Dhabi residents efficient connections through Hong Kong to all major destinations in the Asia Pacific region, including mainland China, the Philippines, Korea, Japan and Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.
The route will be serviced by wide-body Airbus 330 and A340 aircraft flying on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Tom Wright, Cathay Pacific general manager Middle East, India, Africa & Pakistan, said: “We are very proud to be the first carrier to offer a direct service from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong. With the increasing economic and tourism links between Abu Dhabi, one of the fastest growing cities in the Middle East, and Hong Kong, which has long been a vibrant destination and popular hub in Asia, we expect this service to be well received amongst both business and leisure travellers throughout the emirate.”
The route launch will further strengthen tourism ties between the UAE and China, one of the fastest-growing sources of tourism for Abu Dhabi. Cathay Pacific connects to 17 cities in mainland China through its sister airline, Dragonair. The new service is also expected to raise the profile of Hong Kong and the Pearl Delta Region as a holiday destination for Middle East residents.
Cathay Pacific has been serving the United Arab Emirates for more than 30 years and currently offers a double-daily operation to and from Dubai.