Sri Lanka Business News | Online edition of Daily News

Cathay Pacific Airways was founded in Hong Kong on 24 September 1946 by American Roy Farrell and Australian Sydney de Kantzow. Both men were ex-air force pilots who had flown The Hump, a route over the Himalayan Mountains. Each man put up HK$1 to register the airline.

The airline prospered into the 1960s, buying rival Hong Kong Airways in 1959, carrying its one-millionth passenger in 1964, recording double digit growth from 1962 to 1967, acquiring its first jet engined aircraft (Convair 880), and beginning international routes to airports in Japan. In January 1990, Cathay Pacific and its parent company, Swire Pacific, acquired a significant shareholding in Dragonair, and a 60% stake in cargo airline Air Hong Kong.

Turnover in the airline in 2007 was HK$75,358 million and there was also speculation it was strong enough to buy British Airways as well. Cathay is the largest airline and flag carrier of Hong Kong.

Based at Hong Kong International Airport, the airline’s operations include scheduled passenger and cargo services to 120 destinations worldwide. Today Cathay Pacific operates 117 planes and have carried 23,253,000 Passengers in 2007, Cargo carried in 2007 was at 1,642,000 tonnes.Cathay Pacific is one of only six airlines worldwide to carry a five-star rating from Skytrax. Cathay was named “Airline of the Year” in 2003 and 2005 by Skytrax and in 2006 by Air Transport World and OAG. The airline has been voted the second best airline in the world by Skytrax for 2008.

There is a self imposed rule for him.... Never travel without the driver. As for him and for many others Sri Lankan roads are so confusing and hard to find so its best left to the driver to take him to the destination he wants.

In contrast the local food has similarities to food he consumed in other countries he has served and this makes life easier for him.

He likes Pittu which he calls some thing unique to Sri Lanka and the Country Manager of Cathay Pacific for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, John Holden is in the process getting into the intricate process of making it himself during spare time. !!!! Tempered egg with ladies fingers too is one other favourite which he consumes with yellow rice and yellow (dhal) curry.

Born in East Asia he shares similar culture to Sri Lanka and heading the Cathay operations in Colombo and the Maldives is a job he performs to satisfaction.

Cathay Pacific Airways was founded in Hong Kong on 24 September 1946 by American Roy Farrell and Australian Sydney de Kantzow.

Both men were ex-air force pilots who had flown The Hump, a route over the Himalayan Mountains. Each man put up HK$1 to register the airline.

Speaking to Daily News Business Expat Chit Chat John as he is fondly known says the airline is happy with the Sri Lanka operations.

Cathay Pacific has been serving Sri Lanka for the past 15 years and operates direct flights to Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

We are happy with the outcome of the Sri Lanka operations. We are looking at the future with more optimism. The airline is very a popular among both the business and the leisure traveller and our network will certainly be beneficial for travellers flying Hong Kong and beyond.

Sri Lankan outbound traffic is 80 per cent leisure while inbound is 90 per cent leisure. The airline offers three fares bundled together making them remarkably low and inviting which is ideal for friends and family to get away from it all to Singapore and Bangkok. The options are three tickets to Bangkok or Singapore or 2 tickets to Bangkok and 1 ticket to Singapore or 2 tickets to Singapore and 1 ticket to Bangkok.

The airline also uses a large capacity aircraft which shows the commitment the airline has for Sri Lanka. This has 329 economy class and 59 business class seats.

The Cathay Pacific Group as a whole operates over five passenger flights a week from Hong Kong to five countries on the subcontinent - Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the region too is doing well.

Visit visas are required for all Sri Lankan passengers going to Hong Kong. In addition Hong Kong airside transit visas are required for all Sri Lankan transit passengers at Hong Kong International Airport, except for those passengers with valid entry visas or residence visas or permits from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, USA, Canada, UK, Schengen states (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden). Transit time in Hong Kong must be within 12 hours of scheduled arrival.

There is a lot of untapped potential. The Chinese Buddhist circuit should be tapped in amore aggressive manner as there are so many attractions for them in Sri Lanka. This is a mass market as well and the money spent would yield high results.

Eco tourism is another area that needs more aggressive marketing. As far as the airline is concerned we too our promotions both inbound and outbound and there is appositive response. The Hong Kong Disneyland promotions are very popular and are attracting lot of travellers.

Yes as a responsible airline we have offered this to the passengers. Cathay Pacific has been granted Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department approval to adjust its passenger fuel surcharge.

For a two-month period effective December 1, 2008, Cathay will reduce its fuel surcharge to HK$108 (US$13.8) for short-haul services in South and North East Asia and HK$499 (US$64) for long-haul services. The adjustments represent reductions of 45% and 40% respectively from the current surcharges which are HK$196 (US$25.1) for short-haul services and HK$832 (US$106.7) for long-haul services.

All airlines are finding it difficult due to the global recession. Especially this is seen in first class. Under this scenario they are at a better advantage.

Q: How is the cargo sector doing? Once again we see a softening of this due to the global economic crisis. As for the Sri Lankan market, apparel exports are important to us and softening of this market will reduce outbound cargo tonnage.

The Sri Lanka infrastructure is improving and would intensify if the volatile situation ends soon. The local inflation is high but seems to come down. This is encouraging.

They are one of the best I have ever worked with and their high standard is a great asset to the country. Their English pronunciation and standard is very good in terms of Asia. The attitude towards work too is very good and most importantly the Sri Lankan workforce is ready to go that extra mile.

There are so many for multiple reasons. I like Galle fort for history and like Kandy and tea estates for its beauty and Anuradhpura for its ruins.

Lanka can tap the Chinese Buddhist market