Cathay Pacific has said that it has launched a new non-stop service between Dublin and Hong Kong.
Cathay Pacific’s Dublin to Hong Kong direct service operates on a four-times-weekly basis, departing Dublin every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, arriving in Hong Kong at 0700 hours the next day. The schedule is timed for business customers and other travellers, and offers more choice for onward connections to more than 80 destinations in Asia-Pacific via the Hong Kong hub.
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.’
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.
‘Trade between Ireland and China is worth more than EUR8 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 European route comes after the Cathay Pacific launched direct flights from Brussels and Copenhagen in March and May respectively. The first Cathay Pacific service from Dublin to Hong Kong was operated using the airline’s technologically-advanced Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The Hong Kong-based airline currently operates to 15 destinations in Europe, the airline said.
