
Cathay Pacific: New direct flight between Rome and Hong Kong
awaited return that strengthens connections between Italy and Asia.
Cathay Pacific's non-stop flights connecting Rome Fiumicino with Hong Kong took off from the capital's airport. The new route will operate three times a week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, as a summer seasonal service until 25 October 2025.
Rome becomes the second Italian city to be connected with direct flights to Hong Kong, complementing the airline's existing daily service from Milan. It brings the Cathay Group, including Cathay Pacific and low-cost carrier HK Express, one step closer to reaching 100 passenger destinations within the first half of 2025. The launch of flights from Rome marks a significant addition to the airline's European network. Later this month, Cathay Pacific will also launch direct flights from Munich followed by the resumption of flights from Brussels in August, which will bring the total number of European destinations served to twelve.
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: 'We are thrilled to return to Rome with a direct connection, especially in the Jubilee Year. This route holds great historical significance for us – our first flight to Rome dates back to 1986. Today, responding to growing demand, we are proud to offer our customers a convenient, efficient, and high-quality service between the Italian capital and Hong Kong.'
Thanks to the return of the direct flight, customers departing from Rome Fiumicino will benefit from smooth onward connections via Hong Kong. The Cathay Group, including premium full-service airline Cathay Pacific and low-cost carrier HK Express, continue to add more destinations to their global network, reaching 100 destinations worldwide within the first half of this year, including 22 cities in the Chinese Mainland. The service also presents a valuable opportunity for travellers from Hong Kong and across the Asia-Pacific region to reach the Eternal City with ease, particularly during the 2025 Jubilee, a major global event that attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists to Rome and the Vatican.
'The launch of the direct service to Hong Kong operated by Cathay Pacific further strengthens our airport's positioning, enhancing connectivity to one of the most dynamic regions in Asia', said Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer at Aeroporti di Roma. 'This is a key milestone in ADR's growth strategy, aimed at further consolidating and diversifying our intercontinental network, while supporting the development of high-quality tourism, the growth of trade exchange and new opportunities for our region'.
The Rome-Hong Kong route will be operated using the Airbus A350-900, one of the most modern and efficient aircraft in Cathay Pacific's fleet. Customers can enjoy:
Business Class with fully flat beds and direct aisle access.
Premium Economy with extra-wide seats and additional legroom.
Economy Class featuring ergonomic comfort.
An award-winning and state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Flight No. Origin Destination Departure Arrival Days of Operation CX292 Rome (FCO) Hong Kong (HKG) 13:00 06:30+1 Monday, Thursday, Saturday CX293 Hong Kong (HKG) Rome (FCO) 00:30 07:35 Monday, Thursday, Saturday
The Cathay Group remains firmly focused on expanding its global network and reinforcing Hong Kong's status as a premier international aviation hub. In addition to Rome, 16 destinations are joining the Cathay Group's network in 2025 with Cathay Pacific already launching services to Hyderabad in March, and Dallas Fort Worth and Urumqi in April.

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