Cathay Pacific have announced today that they are launching three new routes from 2018.
The air carrier will be offering flights from Hong Kong to Brussels, Dublin and Copenhagen from early next year and the reaction from potential passengers has been incredibly positive.
Flights to and from Dublin and Brussels will run year round, four times weekly, while the Copenhagen service will be summer only.
The Dublin route will launch in June and will be the city’s first Asia Pacific direct flight. Dublin Airport officials have described the announcement as “a major milestone” for Ireland, while Dublin Chamber chief executive Mary Rose Burke said it was “excellent” for Irish business.
Edel Doherty, Managing Director of Beyond Business Travel in Belfast said:
“Business links between Hong Kong and Northern Ireland have been strengthening in recent years. This new, direct route between the regions will allow local companies to explore export options more easily and build on existing business relationships.”
“It’s fantastic that Cathay have made this announcement today, as for years travellers have been requesting direct air links between Ireland and the Asia Pacific region.”
The Irish Times reports today that “about 40,000 people per year travel between Dublin and Hong Kong, but this is expected to grow with the opening of the new direct service. An estimated 4,000 Irish people live in Hong Kong, according to the Irish Embassy in China.”