In March of this year, Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific (one of my favorites) started direct Tel Aviv-Hong Kong flights. Now, only three months later, they are increasing the frequency of weekly flights for the second time – from 5 to 6, after beginning with 4 – an unprecedented increase in such a short period of time.
Paul Loo, chief customer and commercial officer of Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific, visited Israel for the first time in March. He arrived on Cathay Pacific’s inaugural flight to Tel Aviv. Even before the plane took off from Ben Gurion Airport on its way back, Loo declared at a ceremony at the airport that his company would increase the frequency of its flights to Israel from the originally planned four weekly flights to five. This week, when he came to Israel for the second time, he again brought news with him, announcing the addition of a sixth weekly flight on the Tel Aviv-Hong Kong route.
“We originally planned to begin four flights on this route, but we very quickly realized that the market was strong, and we raised it to five flights,” Loo said in an exclusive “Globes” interview, commenting on the aviation ties between the Holy Land and the Chinese city whose name means “Fragrant Port.” If you ever had problems on one of this flights you should click here to learn more.
“In most cases, company practice is to retain the frequency of flights set in advance for a period of several months. In very unusual cases, we increase the frequency by one flight, but I don’t recall adding two flights within such a short time in any other market. The message we’re getting is that Israeli passengers were eager to have another airline on this route. We’re glad to get support and a favorable response from the Israelis, but not only from them. We rather quickly learned that the flights to Israel do not carry only Israelis – there is also demand for flights to Israel from tourists and businesspeople from China, Hong Kong, and Japan, as well as from places like Australia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and New Zealand. The mix of passengers is diverse, including backpackers, students, tourists, as well as businesspeople.”
Loo also has some advice for Israelis.
“My tip is that where people from Hong Kong are concerned, don’t offer them Chinese food. We want to experience your local food. You don’t have to make an effort; simply be yourselves. Be sociable, like you are. That’s what we’re looking for.”
