Cathay Pacific's first flight from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong takes to the skies

The airline's service will be the first and only direct flight connecting the capital of the United Arab Emirates to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The route promises to offer Abu Dhabi residents efficient connections through Hong Kong to all major destinations in the Asia Pacific region, including Mainland China, the Philippines, Korea, Japan and Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand.

The route will be serviced by wide-body Airbus 330 and A340 aircraft featuring Cathay Pacific's acclaimed in-cabin products including a flat bed in Business Class, a fixed-back shell seat in Economy Class and full audio and video on demand in all classes.

Tom Wright, Cathay Pacific General Manager Middle East, India, Africa & Pakistan, commented, "We are very proud to be the first carrier to offer a direct service from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong. With the increasing economic and tourism links between Abu Dhabi - one of the fastest growing cities in the Middle East - and Hong Kong, which has long been a vibrant destination and popular hub in Asia, we expect this service to be well received amongst both business and leisure travellers throughout the Emirate."

At the airport ceremony, James E. Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports Company, said, "After hard work and commitment from many parties, we at Abu Dhabi Airports Company are delighted to see the relationship with Cathay Pacific take off! We are confident that we will see this cooperation grow moving forwards, as both the tourism and trade bodies of Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong continue to affirm their commitment towards boosting economic growth and business between cities."

The route launch will further strengthen tourism ties between the United Arab Emirates and China, one of the fastest-growing sources of tourism for Abu Dhabi. Cathay Pacific connects to 17 cities in Mainland China through its sister airline, Dragonair. The new service is also expected to raise the profile of Hong Kong and the Pearl Delta Region as a holiday destination for Middle East residents.

Cathay Pacific has been serving the United Arab Emirates for more than 30 years and currently offers a double-daily operation to and from Dubai. The airline has won numerous major awards, most recently being voted "Favourite Business Airline" in the 2010 Readers' Travel Awards organised by Condé Nast Traveller magazine.