Cathay to regain 70% of prepandemic PH aviation business this year

MANILA, Philippines  -Cathay Pacific Philippines is targeting to expand its routes to take advantage of the easing of border restrictions that allowed the resurgence of passenger traffic at the airports.

Donald Morris, country manager of the airline, recently told the Inquirer that the Cathay Pacific group was eyeing to restore its operations to 70 percent of prepandemic levels this year.

“For the Philippines, I am a strong believer that it will expand,” he said on the sidelines of an event in Makati City last week.

Asked if the airline was looking to offer more destinations, he said, “That could very likely be happening. The borders are really opening. The chances are very high.”

“We’re looking at one destination that might open in the near future,” Morris said. But he did not share additional details.

Currently, the airline is operating Manila-Hong Kong and Cebu-Hong Kong routes. It is also participating at Airport Authority Hong Kong’s (AAHK) global tickets giveaway campaign to boost tourism in the popular Asian destination.

Around 30,000 free tickets are being given away for Filipino passengers. The business partners of AAHK will also provide special offers for hotel accommodation and shopping.

“Hong Kong has fully opened up and we are eager to welcome visitors from different parts of the world,” AAHK chief operating officer Vivan Cheung said recently.

Global aviation traffic is expected to keep its momentum with Asia driving the growth for air travel demand following the reopening of China, according to international aircraft leasing company Avolon. It sees passenger traffic recovering to prepandemic levels by June. INQ