Cathay Pacific confirms restart of Middle-East passenger services from 1 September

Speaking on RTHK’s “Hong Kong Today” programme, Cathay Pacific spokespersons said the carrier will resume scheduled passenger flights to Dubai and Riyadh on 1 September after a four-year hiatus. The announcement, broadcast on 3 July, follows fresh signs of de-escalation in the long-running US–Iran conflict that had driven insurers’ war-risk premiums and pushed airlines to avoid parts of Middle-East airspace. The plan calls for a daily Hong Kong–Dubai rotation and four weekly Hong Kong–Riyadh services using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft configured with three cabins. Cargo belly-hold capacity of roughly 25 tonnes per flight will reopen a direct channel for Hong Kong-based exporters of electronics and perishables bound for the Gulf. For corporate travel managers, the move restores a non-stop option vital to Hong Kong firms with construction, retail and fintech interests in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Ticket sales re-open this week; fares are expected to track pre-hiatus levels, although the airline hinted at introductory promotions to rebuild market share. Cathay’s codeshare partners will offer onward connections to Jeddah, Dammam and Muscat. Visa-on-arrival remains available for HKSAR passport holders in the UAE, while Saudi Arabia’s e-Visa portal covers both business and tourism travellers.



For passengers who would like expert assistance with securing UAE or Saudi entry permits ahead of the flight, VisaHQ’s Hong Kong office can arrange visa-on-arrival pre-registrations, Saudi e-Visas, and related documentation for business delegations or crew, making the paperwork effortless while Cathay restores these key Gulf routes.

Operationally, Cathay said over-flight routings will continue to avoid Iranian and Iraqi FIRs until a sustained truce is verified, adding approximately 22 minutes to block times. The Civil Aviation Department has approved alternative contingency airports at Doha and Abu Dhabi. Travel-risk teams should update routing assessments, check war-risk insurance clauses and brief crews on regional security bulletins. Shippers booking temperature-controlled freight should reconfirm cut-off times because the new timing departs Hong Kong late evening for early-morning Gulf arrivals.