Cathay Pacific operated the very first commercial flight to land at the new Third Runway of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on Friday, July 8.
The landing of flight CX3251 from Shanghai (Pudong), operated by the airline's Boeing 747-400F freighter, at 08:27 local time was conducted as part of the operation familiarisation on the Third Runway — allowing stakeholders from the aviation community to become familiar with the related operating procedures and collaborative arrangements.
"We are delighted to be the first airline to operate a commercial flight using the new Third Runway, and for that flight to be operated by the 'Queen of the Skies', one of our 747 freighters," said Augustus Tang, Cathay Pacific chief executive officer, noting that the carrier's freighter fleet has played a pivotal role in keeping essential supplies, notably vaccines and testing kits, moving between Hong Kong and the rest of the world throughout the pandemic.
"I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Civil Aviation Department, and all other stakeholders involved in the operation familiarisation for their assistance and support," Tang added.
Last month, AAHK said the Third Runway is planned to commence operation this year as scheduled.
"The commencement of the Third Runway is a milestone achievement for the Hong Kong international aviation hub that will greatly enhance its capacity and capability for handling passenger and cargo flights," Tang added.
The Cathay Pacific chief went on to note as an aviation hub, Hong Kong has a critical role to play in the country's development, as outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan.
"The growth potential afforded by the commencement of the Three-Runway System at HKIA, together with the opportunities presented by the Greater Bay Area, will ensure that Cathay Pacific and our home hub will remain competitive for many years to come," Tang added.
