If there is one destination that I never grow tired of visiting, it would be Hong Kong.Vibrant, friendly, easy to navigate and relatively affordable Hong Kong is always a good destination for newbie travellers as well as well-travelled explorers if only it was easier to get to without transiting through Manila or Cebu.
The direct connection dream is finally a reality with the arrival of the Cathay Pacific Group and the launch of the first and only non-stop flight from Hong Kong to Davao City last October 28.
Flying on a four-time weekly service under its regional airline, Cathay Dragon, the new flight service provides travellers from Davao and its surrounding cities and provinces a faster connection to Asia’s World City.
The ceremonial departure gate program at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport was attended by Davao City Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag, who represented Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, and Cathay Pacific executives led by its chief customer and commercial officer Mr. Paul Loo.
“We are happy to extend Cathay’s signature airline experience to people from Davao and the rest of Mindanao. We hope that this route makes it easier for more people from around the world to discover the beauty, history and potential of Mindanao,” Loo said during his opening remarks.
The Cathay Pacific Group has been serving the Philippines since 1946, Cathay Pacific’s inaugural year of operations. Davao City is the airline’s fourth destination in the country, complementing existing services to Manila, Cebu and Clark.
Aside from opening a convenient service between Davao and Hong Kong, the new direct link to the Crown Colony also allows for better connectivity for travellers, expanding their choices through the airline’s over 200 destinations.
“This is truly a gamechanger for many of our travellers from Davao,” said Mayor Duterte-Carpio in her prepared speech. “I invite more people from around the world to visit our city and discover the rest of the region as well.”
Mr. Loo also surprised guests at the send-off event by announcing the addition of eight additional flights for the peak holiday travel period between December and January. “Many Filipinos like to visit Hong Kong during winter or spring when temperatures are much cooler,” he shared “And with the upcoming flights between Davao and Hong Kong showing strong numbers, we decided to add one additional flight per week from December to January to allow more Dabawenyos to fly.”
Currently, Cathay Dragon flies direct between Hong Kong and Davao on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flying out from Hong Kong International Airport at 1235 and arriving in Davao at 1550, and flying out of Davao at 1650 and arriving in Hong Kong at 2000. The additional flights are scheduled to fly on Thursdays starting December to January.|
Congratulations to Cathay Dragon for opening new horizons for Dabawenyo travellers and renewing fond memories of Hong Kong. I look forward to experience life well travelled on your wings!
