The first Cathay Pacific service from Dublin to Hong Kong, flight CX306, was operated last Friday by the airline’s technologically-advanced Airbus A350-900 aircraft with the registration B-LRI. The flight, carrying a full complement of 280 passengers, departed Dublin Airport at around noon last Friday.
Departing passengers enjoyed a special gate ceremony to celebrate the launch with refreshments and a traditional Chinese lion dance performance. Passengers also received a personalised flight certificate to commemorate their support for the first flight, as well as a gift pack filled with exclusively selected items to help business and leisure travellers embark on a journey of a Life Well Travelled.
Guest of Honour at this morning’s gate ceremony, Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison, said: “This is a historic and momentous day for Dublin Airport. We are delighted to welcome Cathay Pacific to Dublin Airport and to Ireland.
"Today is result of collaboration of many years work with a wide range of other bodies such as Irish Embassy in China, the Consulate in Hong Kong, our colleagues at Tourism Ireland and other key stakeholders such as IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia."
He added: “Trade between Ireland and China is worth more than €8 billion per annum and almost 100 Irish firms have operations in China, employing a total of 100,000 people there. With an estimated 4,000 Irish people living in Hong Kong and about 40,000 people per year travelling between our two cities I have no doubt this new route will be popular for business and leisure travellers.”
The new route is the airline’s third European service to inaugurate in 2018, following the commencement of direct flights from Brussels and Copenhagen in March and May respectively. The Hong Kong-based airline currently operates to 15 destinations in Europe.
n connecting the Emerald Island directly to the heart of Asia, Cathay Pacific asserts its commitment to providing customers, both business and leisure travellers alike, with greater options and flexibility.
Cathay Pacific General Manager Europe James Ginns said: “We’re delighted that Ireland’s first and only non-stop flight to Hong Kong has been well-received by our customers.
"Our team is thrilled to be able have a role in fostering bilateral tourism and economic growth between Ireland and Asia. We feel confident that this new route will continue to bring more convenience and choice to the Irish public and optimise opportunities for Irish businesses.”