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Cathay boosts capacity on Sydney route with second 777-300ER service

written by australianaviation.com.au | March 9, 2015

A Cathay Boeing 777-300ER. (Cathay)
A Cathay Boeing 777-300ER. (Cathay)

Cathay Pacific will boost capacity between Hong Kong and Sydney from October 1 when it deploys a Boeing 777-300ER on a second of its four daily flights on the route.

The Hong Kong-based carrier says the move to replace the Airbus A330-300 with the 777-300ER will increase the seat count by eight per cent.

The airline already uses the 777-300ER on one of its four flights a day between Sydney and Hong Kong, with the remaining three currently operated by A330-300 aircraft.

Cathay Pacific general manager for southwest Pacific Nelson Chin said the move to add a second 777-300ER service was to cater for growing demand both to Hong Kong and to the oneworld alliance member’s wider China, European and North American network.

The flights to receive the big Boeing twin will be CX100, which leaves Sydney at 1500 and arrives in Hong Kong at 2135, and CX101, which departs Hong Kong at 2355 and touches down in the NSW capital at 1205 the next day.

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“The two 777-300ER flights cater to the increasing demand from our passengers wanting the best morning or night connections to our large network, which includes our newest destinations Manchester, Zurich, Boston, and Dusseldorf,” Chin said in a statement on Monday.

“It also serves those who simply wish to make the most of a whole day’s work in Hong Kong.

“Aside from adding 1,253 seats per week or 65,156 seats per year with more business, premium economy and economy class seats, the 777-300ER also provides better payload which will help facilitate cargo uplift.”

In December 2014 Cathay upgraded its evening departure from Sydney, CX138, and morning departure from Hong Kong, CX139 to the 777-300ER.

The airline flies 74 times a week to Australia and has utilised the full amount of available frequencies to the country’s four major gateways – Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney – for Hong Kong-designated carriers.

Therefore, any increase in capacity will have to come through larger aircraft and not additional flights.

Hong Kong has been keen to renegotiate the current air services agreement to give Hong Kong airlines more traffic rights to Australia.

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Comments (10)

  • Peter Watkins

    says:

    Having flown the Vancouver to Honk Kong service on the big twin I can confirm that this aircraft is very comfortable for these longer legs. Add the Cathay service to that and its a win win for passengers

  • Phil

    says:

    Time for the A380 Cathay?

  • John Cox

    says:

    It seems to me that the Federal Government should place some restriction on Cathay,untill Jetstar are given a fair outcome to there application for flights out of Hong Kong.
    John Cox

  • Kim

    says:

    Perhaps the A350, but I prefer Boeing. The 777 sips fuel so probably the most economical anyway. The 380 was designed to be operated most economically seating 500+ pax but customers don’t seem to want that crowded feeling. Bad enough on the 737 ADL to SYD.

  • jason

    says:

    Cathay is progressively upgrading its four daily flights due to the obvious demand yet QANTAS has one daily!Possibly another lost opportunity for QANTAS

  • Red Barron

    says:

    Agree with John Cox time to push back Cathay until Jetstar get a fair hearing

  • Tipo

    says:

    Are the 777 flights a little quicker than the A330? Specs show 777s cruise around 25k quicker than a A330 which should cut maybe 15 mins off the flight time?

  • Alan

    says:

    Now, if we could also have Andre Rieu returned to the Cathay in-flight library….who could wish for more!

  • Dyland

    says:

    I agree with John and Red Barron – the Federal Govt need to take a hard line approach to further access to foreign carriers – particularly where their home market is less open to competition (e.g. Hong Kong) or unfairly subsidised (e.g. Gulf Carriers).

    It’s worth noting that Qantas has about 20 flights a week to Hong Kong vs more than 70 by Cathay. Cathay has benefited significantly from Australia’s liberal air traffic rights in the past. And for those of you who say well Cathay has a better product/service, then I’d say why is it pushing so hard against Jetstar Hong Kong if it is so confident in what it offers its customers.

  • Dyland

    says:

    please amend… It’s worth noting that Qantas has about 40 flights a week to Hong Kong vs more than 70 by Cathay

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