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Cathay Pacific Appoints Tom Owen as Sr VP, Americas

Airline Veteran to Join Hong Kong-based carrier’s US Headquarters
San Francisco, CA (September 5, 2012) - Cathay Pacific Airways, the home carrier of Hong Kong recognized around the globe for its amenities and service excellence, has appointed Tom Owen to senior vice president, Americas. Owen will be responsible for the overall management of Cathay Pacific’s North American operations, and will be based in the company’s US headquarters in San Francisco.
Owen is a 17-year veteran of Cathay Pacific Airways, where he has held several management positions around the globe. He joined the airline after four years as an officer in the British Army Gurkhas. Owen’s career with Cathay Pacific began as the assistant to the general manager of revenue and marketing in Hong Kong. Over the next 14 years, he was promoted through the company, with postings to Canada and India as country manager and in various commercial postings in Hong Kong, including general manager, revenue between 2008-2011. Most recently, Owen held the position of chief operating officer, logistics, for Steamships Trading Company Limited in Papua New Guinea, a subsidiary of Cathay Pacific’s parent company, Swire Group.
“I’m delighted to join the Cathay Pacific America team,” said Tom Owen, senior vice president, Americas for Cathay Pacific. “We have experienced tremendous growth in the US market – last year, with the introduction of our Chicago - Hong Kong route, and the opening of a new premium First and Business Class lounge at San Francisco International Airport – the first city in the United States to experience the exquisite modern lounge design modeled on the award-winning lounges in Hong Kong. We expect to see this trajectory continue with the introduction of our new Premium Economy class to all US routes by the end of the year, and I am grateful to be a part of Cathay Pacific’s US operations at this exciting crossroads.”
Owen, a citizen of the United Kingdom, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cambridge University. He and his wife, Suji, and two daughters will reside in San Francisco.
About Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific Airways flies daily to Hong Kong and beyond from Los Angeles, New York JFK, San Francisco and Chicago. Cathay Pacific was recently awarded the World’s Best Business Class in the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards™. More information, including current fares and availability, may be found by visiting the airline’s website at cathaypacific.com/us or Facebook page at facebook.com/cathaypacificus.