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Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that it will reinstate a number of flights to North America and Jakarta that were suspended late last year in a measured response to improved market demand.
From 1 June, Cathay Pacific's service to Los Angeles will increase from seven to 10 flights a week. From 1 July, the airline's service to Vancouver will rise from 11 to 14 flights and San Francisco will switch from being served by an A340-300 to a higher-capacity B747-400.
Jakarta will get back two flights a week from 1 July, meaning the resumption of a daily non-stop service. Jakarta is also served by a daily flight via Singapore.
The reinstatement of these flights will give added flexibility and convenience to the airline's passengers and cargo customers. They will also help strengthen the airline's network connections and enhance Hong Kong's position as a leading regional hub.
The airline meanwhile is maintaining a cautious outlook about a broader recovery, and is sticking by its plan to park a number of passenger and cargo aircraft.
Cathay Pacific Director Corporate Planning Augustus Tang said: "Cathay Pacific reinstating previously suspended flights is a measured response to some signs of recovery in those markets. The flexibility of our fleet and our ability to deploy the slightly larger B747-400 to San Francisco also enables us to respond in a very effective way to changing market conditions.
"In addition to improving demand, the airline's earlier capacity reduction has also contributed to load factors being high on these routes. Competition is still very tough and prices remain soft. Even though we are still some way from a full recovery, Cathay Pacific will continue to invest in its product and strengthen its network where appropriate in order to position itself to take advantage of a broader recovery when it does come." |
