
Cathay Pacific, HK Express surpass 100 global passenger destinations, investing over HKD100B in upgrades
Cathay Pacific
and
HK Express
have collectively achieved a milestone of 100
global passenger destinations
, according to the Cathay Group. The announcement was made during a cocktail reception at Island Shangri-La in Hong Kong, celebrating the network expansion reached earlier than expected.
Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics of Hong Kong, noted that this achievement reinforces Hong Kong's status as a global aviation hub. 'As Cathay hits the magic 100, so too does
Hong Kong International Airport
and Hong Kong as an international aviation hub reach unprecedented heights,' she said.
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The growth is supported by the implementation of the
Three-Runway System
, commissioned in late 2024, which has enabled a significant rise in passenger traffic, cargo volumes, and flight movements at Hong Kong International Airport.
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Cathay Pacific Chairman Patrick Healy stated that the group has expanded rapidly in the past two years, adding 30 new destinations, 18 of which were introduced in 2025. 'That rate of network expansion is at an unprecedented level for Cathay, and that has allowed it to reach this milestone of 100 destinations ahead of schedule,' Healy said.
Cathay invests HKD100 billion in fleet and services
The Cathay Group is currently undertaking its largest investment initiative, valued at over HKD100 billion. This program covers upgrades to its fleet, cabin interiors, airport lounges, and digital platforms. Healy emphasized the importance of this investment in aligning with the infrastructure improvements at Hong Kong International Airport.
'Cathay has to continue to invest and it is important that it takes full advantage of the new Three-Runway System,' Healy said during the event.
The investment supports Cathay's long-term strategic goal of maintaining its competitiveness and enhancing passenger experience as it grows its global footprint. The current expansion is one of the most rapid in the airline's nearly 80-year history.
Also read:
Cathay Pacific places order for 100 new aircraft, deliveries commence this year: Official
Cathay Pacific (00293.HK) closed down 0.971 per cent in recent trading. The airline recorded a short-selling volume of HKD52.32 million, with a short-selling ratio of 34.825 per cent as of June 13, 2025.
Cathay Pacific's continued network and service expansion reflects broader momentum in Hong Kong's aviation industry, as passenger and cargo movements rise in tandem with infrastructure development.

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- Time of India
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Time of India
06-08-2025
- Time of India
Cathay Pacific warns of budget airline challenges, uncertain cargo outlook
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Indian Express
30-07-2025
- Indian Express
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We filled out the form, hit submit, and it was approved in seconds. But here's the catch: your application must exactly match your passport'. The blogger said that their issue was with the 'Place of Issue' section. 'There was no option that matched our passport, and no way to manually type it in (unlike the place of birth option). We thought it wouldn't matter. But at the airport, the airline couldn't check us in because of that mismatch. They tried for an hour, even called immigration, but nothing worked. It was heartbreaking—our son cried because he was excited for Disneyland. What made it worse? No human is reviewing your PAR—just a system that gives a yes or no. Even if the error isn't your fault, you can be denied boarding. I genuinely hope Hong Kong improves this system or turns it into a proper, paid visa process so travelers don't face this confusion or disappointment,' she continued. 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Taking a cue from the incident, we reached out to an expert to learn more. Santosh Pawaskar, visa head at R K Vacations, stated that the Hong Kong Immigration Department mandates Indian nationals to complete an online PAR as a prerequisite for visa-free entry for up to 14 days or transit purposes. 'What happens if you don't have barcode/pre-arrival registration is that airlines may refuse to board you for Hong Kong-bound flights. 'Even if you arrive, Hong Kong Immigration may deny entry, forcing you to return to your departure point and endure significant inconvenience,' said Pawaskar. A post shared by Roaz| Travel Blogger|UGC creator (@travelnlifewithroaz) Pawaskar stressed that the PAR for Hong Kong is completed at least 2–3 business days before the travel date to avoid any inconvenience. 'A travel associate makes sure the arrival is safe without any problems. For PAR, the documents required are minimal—just your passport (which should be valid for at least 6 months from your travel date), flight details, accommodation information, and employment details (if applicable).' According to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Immigration Department website, 'All family members are required to apply for PAR individually'. Pawaskar said that generally, PAR is rejected due to: 1. Incorrect or Mismatched Passport Details 2. Expired or Near-Expiry Passport 3. Duplicate or Multiple Applications 4. Previous Overstay or Violation in Hong Kong 5. Inconsistent Information 6. Technical/May be server issue A post shared by Roaz| Travel Blogger|UGC creator (@travelnlifewithroaz) What can help? One of the comments said, 'This is such an important reminder'. 'If the HKPAR dropdown doesn't have the exact 'Place of Issue' from your passport, it's safest to skip PAR and apply for a proper visa. The system is automated, and any mismatch — even if it's not your fault — can lead to denied boarding. More awareness is definitely needed!' Agreeing, Pawaskar said that 99 per cent of the time, the issue can be resolved by quickly applying for a visa, which incurs an additional fee. What to do if your PAR is rejected? *Check the rejection reason to understand why your application was denied. *If the issue is minor, correct the error and submit a new application. *Apply for a formal Hong Kong Visit Visa if you plan to stay longer than 14 days. Tips for a smooth PAR application *Even though PAR is instant, apply a few days before your trip to avoid last-minute hassles. * Ensure all information matches your passport and travel plans. *Always carry a printed and signed copy of your PAR slip. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to