Chief Executive Officer Augustus Tang said: “Cathay Pacific has proudly been the home airline of Hong Kong for 75 years, during which time we have seen and contributed significantly to the development of our home city into a leading international aviation and logistics hub. We share the confidence of the Government and the Chief Executive that this status can be consolidated and enhanced, leveraging on Hong Kong’s geographical advantage, managerial expertise and extensive talent pool.

“We look forward to the commissioning next year of the Third Runway, and the full completion of the Third Runway System in 2024, which will greatly expand the capacity and competitiveness of Hong Kong International Airport. The various passenger experience and high-end logistics projects that the Airport Authority of Hong Kong is undertaking will also further enhance the efficiency and capabilities of our hub.“

Cathay Pacific welcomes the many initiatives to strengthen the connectivity between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, which will greatly benefit the aviation industry across the wider region. In particular, the airline supports the planned establishment of a high-end aviation industrial cluster in Zhuhai as well as the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy’s efforts to help nurture aviation-related talents for Hong Kong, Zhuhai and the Greater Bay Area.

Mr Tang added: “Hong Kong has an unrivalled position in the Greater Bay Area, a region that presents wonderful opportunity for the Hong Kong aviation hub and Hong Kong in general, and which will be the growth engine for the world economy over the next few decades.

“Easier access to a wider catchment area means there is huge potential to grow the Hong Kong hub. The expanded connectivity to and from the burgeoning Greater Bay Area directly from Hong Kong presents the city with enormous growth opportunities.”