Cathay Pacific launches direct flights from Hong Kong to Riyadh

1- Can you provide an overview of the new Hong Kong to Riyadh route?

- We at Cathay Pacific are extremely excited and are looking forward to the launch of our direct passenger flights from Hong Kong to Riyadh, the capital and financial centre of Saudi Arabia, from 28 October 2024. This new route will further enhance connectivity, trade and cultural exchange between our home hub – Hong Kong, and the countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. We will be operating three return flights per week using our modern Airbus A350-900 aircraft, featuring Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. 

(The flights schedule for the service is as follows (all times local, subject to regulatory approval).

2- How is this route significant in the airline's network expansion, and why was Riyadh chosen as the latest destination? 

- Our role is to be an enabler connecting Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland with the world. With our deep roots in Hong Kong, we firmly support the Central Government’s Belt and Road Initiative, we currently serve 21 destinations in 14 participating countries. We play an important role in connecting Asia and the Middle East; whether it is for trade and economic development or promoting travel and tourism. Our route expansion to Riyadh, enables us to further strengthen Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub, and enhance air connectivity between the Middle East and Asia. With the strengthening of our services to and from Hong Kong to Riyadh enables us to cater to this important region’s growing travel and trade appetite, in line with the Kingdom's vision 2030 and the Belt and Road Initiative.

3- How does this route enhance connectivity between Asia-Pacific and the Middle East?

- As a Group, we currently fly to around 80 passenger destinations around the world. The Middle East is an important market connecting to Asia– crucial for trade, and the silk route to Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and more. We have been flying from the UAE for over 45 years and operate weekly flights on our Boeing 777 aircrafts between Hong Kong and Dubai. As we expand our footprint in the Middle East, we will be launching three-weekly flights from Riyadh to Hong Kong and beyond starting 28 October. Additionally, we have witnessed demand from Middle Eastern travellers for Hong Kong, and other cities of the Greater Bay Area, the Chinese Mainland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines.

4- What is the expected demand for this route, and who are you trying to reach with this service?

- We expect a healthy demand for not only business but leisure/bleisure travel as well. Our intermodal offering of Air + Ferry services offers seamless connections to the Greater Bay Area thereby facilitating hassle free business travel. We also forecast a strong demand for customers to travel back to Manila for visiting friends and family. Similarly, we are optimistic about inbound travel into the Kingdom for leisure and business alike. Further, this new route will fuel Saudi Arabia’s roadmap of Vision 2030.

In addition to Cathay Pacific’s new passenger service, we currently operate our Cathay Cargo weekly freighter flights between Hong Kong and Riyadh, ensuring vital goods (like packaging materials, aircraft engines, oil and gas equipment, machinery, cars, Formula1 racing cars during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix), reach their destinations swiftly and securely. Thereby, supporting local industries/businesses and connecting them to the world through our air cargo services.

The introduction of direct flights also means additional belly capacity will be introduced for cargo services from Riyadh. This increased capacity allows us to offer more time-bound solutions for the Riyadh market, meeting the growing demand for efficient and reliable cargo services. This particularly benefits time-sensitive products such as valuable exports, perishables, electronics, e-commerce, and courier services, ensuring regular and consistent deliveries. 

5- How would this new route affect business travel and tourism between the two cities?

- Hong Kong is a mid-haul flight from the Middle East, and is the ultimate destination for families, from luxury shopping to wellness, to famous attractions (Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park and Water World Hong Kong), adrenaline and sports enthusiasts especially for Hong Kong Sevens that takes place in April every year. Hong Kong promises to captivate ones senses and is home to unique attractions like the Kowloon Cultural District, Tai O Island, Discovery Bay, to name a few. It is also home to world-class exhibitions, Trade and Industry events like the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and the Art Basel Hong Kong, which attract business travellers and enthusiasts from the region.

Further, the Three-Runway System at Hong Kong International Airport will be fully operational by late 2024, and will usher in a new era of exciting opportunities for travel and tourism. 

On the other hand, the Middle East is home to a host of UNESCO World Heritage sites, luxury hotels, a shopping haven, and more which offers a myriad of opportunities for leisure and business travellers. Furthermore, the Kingdom is witnessing a rapid transformation especially as a business hub in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, thereby attracting global investors and business travel.

Our direct flights between Dubai/Riyadh to Hong Kong and beyond facilitates ease in travel and boosts tourism between Asia and the Middle East. Further, we work together with the respective tourism boards to encourage tourism between Asia and the Middle East.