Cathay Pacific Airways and the Hong Kong Canada Business Association held a luncheon event attended by over 200 travel and business professionals at the Four Seasons hotel in Vancouver yesterday.
The theme of the event was "Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific: Continuing a Successful Journey". Last year marked the 30- year anniversary of Cathay Pacific’s Vancouver- Hong Kong service, which launched in 1983.
Vancouver was the first gateway Cathay Pacific opened in North America, with 747 service across the Pacific to Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Canada Business Association is also celebrating it's 30 year anniversary in 2014.
Top Cathay Pacific executives were on hand to introduce the airline’s current director of sales and marketing Rupert Hogg. Hogg has also been appointed Cathay’s new chief operating officer, effective in March.
"[It’s] great to see such a large turnout at today's Hong Kong Canada Business Association lunch," said Chris Vandenhooven, Cathay Pacific's general manager, sales, Western Canada.
"Being Rupert Hogg's first North American speaking engagement since his announcement to chief operating officer underlines the importance YVR [and] Western Canada plays in the airline's global success," Vandenhooven added.
Hogg’s keynote address focused on the ever-strengthening aviation and business ties between Vancouver and Hong Kong.
“Vancouver has a very special place in the heart of those of us based in Hong Kong,” said Hogg. “Vancouver is important to us, and Canada has placed an incredible role in the evolution of Cathay Pacific.”
The address emphasized a “20 year view” on Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific’s path to continuing their successful partnership.
Hogg emphasized that Cathay Pacific’s Vancouver service contributed to the growth of Hong Kong international airport, and the airline’s commitment to the future of Hong Kong aviation.
“When [we] first started Vancouver- Hong Kong service, we carried 3.2 million passengers per year, we now carry 30 million passengers per year and connect to 40 points in mainland China,” Hogg said.
With sister airline Dragon Air, Cathay Pacific now flies to 60 destinations in China and India.
“The Hong Kong hub carried 56 million people last year, it’s the largest aviation hub in Asia the third largest international aviation hub in the world, and the largest cargo hub in the world,” Hogg said.
108 airlines now fly in and out of Hong Kong, which is home to 3,500 regional and international business headquarters.
Cathay Pacific also has its sights set on new destinations, and plans on introducing new product.
“We do intend to continue to grow in Canada, we want to be the preferred airline in Canada on the aviation side of the Pacific Rim, and we want people to choose us above all other airlines because of the standard of service, and that’s our commitment for the next 20 years,” said Hogg.