Cathay Pacific announced another addition to its expanding global network this year with the launch of direct flights between Hong Kong and Urumqi starting 28 April 2025. The new four-times-weekly return service will bring the Cathay Group’s combined passenger network in the Chinese Mainland to 20 destinations.
This summer, Cathay Pacific and low-cost carrier HK Express will operate over 290 return flights per week between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. This includes Beijing (Capital International Airport and Daxing International Airport), Shanghai (Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport), Chengdu, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Sanya, Urumqi, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Xi’an, Xiamen and Zhengzhou.
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “Urumqi is an exciting new addition to our network, directly connecting our home city with an important Belt and Road hub in Northwestern China. We are delighted to introduce Urumqi as the Cathay Group’s 11th new port announced so far this year, as we move one step closer to reaching 100 destinations globally in 2025. As Hong Kong’s home airline, we have deep roots in our home city and are proudly part of China. We are committed to providing our customers with even more destination and flight choices when travelling between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and beyond. We look forward to welcoming customers through our flights to experience what Urumqi has to offer.”
Cathay Pacific’s new Hong Kong-Urumqi route will be operated by the airline’s Airbus A330-300 aircraft, providing customers with comfortable Business and Economy cabins. Aside from Urumqi, Cathay Pacific will launch direct flights to Hyderabad in March, Dallas in April, Rome and Munich in June, and Brussels in August this year. HK Express commenced services to Sendai in January and will launch direct flights to Nha Trang, Komatsu and Ishigaki in April, and Miyako (Shimojishima) in June. The two airlines project to operate passenger services to more than 100 destinations worldwide within 2025.
Emirates introduces retrofitted Boeing 777s to Seoul and London Stansted
Emirates will expand the list of cities served by its refurbished Boeing 777 to Seoul, South Korea starting 14 April* and London Stansted in the UK from 7 May, as aircraft sporting upgraded cabins roll out of Emirates’ retrofit programme and into scheduled service. Emirates’ four-class Boeing 777 will launch on flights EK324/325 between Dubai and Seoul, operating three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The upcoming deployment makes Seoul the second East Asian destination to receive Emirates’ upgraded Boeing 777 retrofitted aircraft, including its award-winning Premium Economy and newly configured Business Class cabin, offering customers more choice and a better experience in the skies.
By July 2025, travellers flying eastbound with Emirates will have access to more than 3,150 weekly seats in Premium Economy on a mix of Boeing 777s and A380s across six key destinations in Southeast and East Asia, including Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda, Osaka, Singapore, Seoul, and Shenzhen. London Stansted joins London Heathrow and Edinburgh as the third UK destination to showcase the airline’s latest generation products and elegantly refreshed cabin interiors. In addition to London Stansted, Emirates’ network of European destinations served by the four-class Boeing 777 includes Brussels, Geneva, Zurich, Vienna, and Athens.
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