At Cathay Pacific’s 80th-anniversary celebration on 18 September, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan urged the carrier to accelerate its network expansion and maintain attractive pricing as the city seeks to cement its role as an international aviation hub under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Speaking to Cathay Group Chairman Guy Bradley and CEO Ronald Lam, Chan said every new route “drives trade, investment and economic opportunity” for Hong Kong. Chan pointed to the new third runway—operational since 2024—as providing ample capacity for growth. He disclosed that the government is actively negotiating additional air-services agreements covering the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and South America. The remarks come days after Cathay confirmed it will launch Hong Kong–Almaty service in January 2027 and increase Madrid frequencies to daily from late October. For corporate mobility managers, a broader network could lower relocation costs and shorten assignment lead-times, particularly for Belt-and-Road destinations where connections still require multiple transits. Competitive pricing would also reduce travel budgets for multinational companies basing regional teams in Hong Kong. Cathay says it plans to add 150 new aircraft and reach 150 destinations within a decade, contingent on market conditions. Analysts note that talent-attraction initiatives announced in Hong Kong’s new Five-Year Plan—such as a forthcoming short-term training visa—will only succeed if flight connectivity keeps pace. Chan’s public nudge signals that the transport portfolio remains tightly linked to the city’s wider economic and mobility strategy.
