Cathay Pacific announced it will be launching direct flights to Munich for the first time as well as returning to Brussels in summer 2025, providing travellers with non-stop connections between Hong Kong and two of Europe’s major centres. Cathay Pacific’s debut passenger service to Munich is set to launch on 16 June 2025 with four return flights per week, marking the airline’s second route to Germany alongside its daily service to Frankfurt.
Cathay Pacific’s direct flights between Hong Kong and Brussels are set to return on 3 August 2025. Both the Munich and Brussels services will be operated using Cathay Pacific’s advanced Airbus A350-900 aircraft, providing customers with fully flat beds in Business, spacious seats in Premium Economy and comfort in Economy cabins.
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “We are very excited to be adding Munich to our network for the very first time as well as returning to Brussels next year, making these our 10th and 11th destinations in Europe, respectively. Hong Kong is a world-class international financial, commercial and aviation hub, and these flights will provide our customers with a direct connection between our home city and two of Europe’s important centres. “Cathay Pacific has been flying non-stop to Europe for over four decades and we remain very committed to this important market. In addition to launching these two routes, we are delighted to be adding more flights on our other European routes next summer, providing even greater choice and convenience for our customers travelling between Hong Kong and the continent.”
In summer 2025, Cathay Pacific will be operating up to 93 return passenger flights per week to Europe, up from 78 flights per week currently. In addition to four weekly return flights to Munich and Brussels, this also includes five daily flights to London, daily flights to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Manchester, Milan, Paris and Zurich, and four weekly flights to each of Madrid and Barcelona, the latter being a summer seasonal service. Within 2025, it is projected that the Cathay Group’s extensive passenger network will reach 100 destinations worldwide.
Hong Kong Airlines restarts Vancouver service
Hong Kong Airlines announced the resumption of direct flights to Vancouver, Canada commencing 18 January 2025. The twice-weekly services will provide additional travel options for passengers travelling between Hong Kong and Vancouver, and those connecting via Hong Kong. Vancouver was Hong Kong Airlines’ first North American destination, launched in June 2017 and has consistently proven a popular route.
Hong Kong Airlines Chairman Yan Bo said: “We are thrilled to welcome Vancouver back as Hong Kong Airlines’ first North American destination. We aim to attract more travellers to experience Vancouver’s beauty, facilitating family reunions and business collaborations. The route will further strengthen our Asian network and offer global passengers more diverse and convenient travel options, connecting Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, Oceania, and North America.”
Following a successful restructuring last year, Hong Kong Airlines has been actively enhancing its services and expanding its operations. Through strategic planning, the airline has demonstrated a strong recovery capability by optimising its route network and adjusting its fleet structure, with service now covering over 30 destinations.
This year, the number of flights has fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with an average passenger load factor of approximately 85%. The airline expects to reach its annual traffic target of carrying more than 5 million passengers by the end of 2024. Further fleet expansion will be implemented as required to enhance capacity. This diversified fleet will improve operational flexibility and coverage, enabling convenient access from Hong Kong to popular destinations across mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, the United States, Canada, and Europe.
China Airlines takes off between Melbourne and Auckland
China Airlines has launched its inaugural service between Melbourne and Auckland, connecting the two cities with Airbus A350 aircraft. The new route, operating as a seasonal extension of China Airlines’ Taipei-Melbourne service, comes just in time for the summer holiday season, adding more than 3,000 seats per week to the Melbourne-Auckland market.
Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation, Jim Parashos, said the new service offers more competition on the busy trans-Tasman route. “China Airlines’ decision to extend its Taipei-Melbourne route to Auckland provides travellers with a high-quality and competitive option to cross the Tasman,” he said. “With the December school holidays almost upon us, families and holidaymakers will benefit from increased capacity at a time when demand is at its peak. This service also creates new opportunities for New Zealanders to connect to Asia via Melbourne, opening up a gateway to Taipei and beyond. The additional flights bring much-needed competition to the trans-Tasman market, helping to drive down airfares and providing greater choice for passengers. It’s a win for consumers on both sides of the Tasman.”
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