HONG KONG WINNER - Cathay Pacific

More documents

Recommendations

Info

8 <strong>Cathay</strong> Pacif ic cares Cleaning up HK’s beaches A stretch of Hong Kong’s coastline is now much cleaner, thanks to the efforts of the 64 CX volunteers who participated in the annual International Coastal Cleanup event (ICC) on Lantau Island on 5 November. The staff and family members braved the heat to remove close to 1,000kg of rubbish from Tong Fuk Beach and Shui Hau Flats. Waste found included bottles, fl ip fl ops, plastic bags, fi shing nets and a PC monitor case. ICC is a worldwide initiative launched by the Ocean Conservancy. Debris collected from around the world is analysed each year and the information will be used to educate the public, governments and businesses. Manager Purchasing and Lantau resident Michael Pratt, who has taken part in the ICC with CX volunteers since 2009, says it was hugely rewarding to see the difference they have made on the beaches. “Some of the same people have been coming year after year – it’s brilliant,” says Michael. “It’s back-breaking work, but people won’t turn up again and again if they don’t get something out of it. “Everybody who took part had a good feeling. This comes from knowing that we have helped Hong Kong,” he adds. Data regarding the debris collected by CX Volunteers will be passed to the Green Council, the ICC Coor- dinator in Hong Kong, which will then compile the information submitted by all participating units into a report. A regular column highlighting the airline’s commitment to the community Plane spotters rush to get a glimpse of the special-liv Trading on the fut The new Boeing 747-8 Freighters have had a smooth entry into service, fl ying around the region to get various teams acquainted with the new type and causing a fl urry of excitement amongst plane-spotters in various ports. One Dash 8 that’s really been getting the shutterbugs drooling is B-LJA, which arrived in Hong Kong on 16 November resplendent with a new name and a one-off eye-catching livery. Actually, the name, Hong Kong Trader, is not new at all – it was the moniker attached to CX’s fi rst Boeing 747 freighter which arrived in 1982 and kick-started the airline’s development into the world’s biggest international air cargo carrier (see story on opposite page). The original Hong Kong Trader was not that special to look at – merely dressed in the airline’s standard livery at that time with the aircraft name painted in rather delicate lettering under the cockpit window. By contrast, the new Hong Kong Trader is a bold and brash statement about CX’s cargocarrying capabilities and the position of its home city as one of the world’s world great trading centres. The original idea for a unique livery on the new aircraft came from then Director Cargo Rupert Hogg, and former Chief Executive Tony Tyler suggested recycling the Hong Kong Trader name. Daniel Heung, Marketing Services Manager, who was tasked with developing the livery, says the aim was to convey the evolution of CX’s cargo business over the past three decades. “The main colour theme, with a transition from light grey to a darker blue colour, represents the transition in our business over time,” he says. Unlike the 1982 version, this time the lettering is bold and in-your-face. “We wanted something that matches with our cargo business – strong, stable and reliable,” says Daniel. “The most striking element of the livery, an etching of the modern Hong Kong skyline, is recognisable around the world and echoes both the name and purpose of the Hong Kong Trader aircraft,” he adds. Painting the aircraft took just over a week, involving teams of 14 Boeing employees working 24-hour shifts – about twice as long as to paint a normal CX livery. With the help of Teague and Associates, the Boeing team converted a highly detailed photograph-like image to the intricate Hong Kong skyline and water refl ection painted onto the aircraft – a task involving a lot of hand-drawn graphic work. While Hong Kong Trader made a big splash, the fourth Dash 8 arrived quietly on 12 December – making CX the world’s biggest operator at this time! The fi rst three arrivals are scheduled to begin ultra-long-haul services to North America beginning 14 December. Win your own Dash 8 To celebrate the arrival of <strong>Cathay</strong> Paci c’s rst Boeing 747-8 freighter as well as the delivery of the special-livery Hong Kong Trader, CX World has ve standard 747-8F models and ve special livery models to give away. The models are 1:400 scale and made of die-cast metal. metal. To enter, the lucky draw, please send an email to Sta Sta Sta Communication Team Group (CCD#SCT) with the subject line “Freighter” by 31 December and tell us the name of the tallest building in the skyline featured on the Hong Kong Trader livery. model! World has ve standard 747-8F models and ve EARNING ITS WAY: Director Cargo Nick Rhodes (right) puts the fi nishing touches to the livery before Hong Kong Trader made its fi rst revenue fl ight from Hong Kong to Narita and Taipei (above and below).
eried Hong Kong Trader as it enters service ure – and past Original Trader paved the way for CX’s leading cargo role The rst dedicated freighter in the CX eet, a Boeing 707-320C, arrived in 1976 and ew around the region for the next six years. But it was the arrival of the rst Boeing 747 Freighter in 1982 that really marked CX’s beginning as a serious player in the air cargo world – and the aircraft was given a name, Hong Kong Trader, to convey the leading role it would play in the revitalisation of Hong Kong’s foreign trade. “We decided emphatically that our commitment to air-freight was a long-term one and that the next step was the choice of a replacement for the 707F. The logical choice was a 747 freighter,” said Robert Atkinson, Cargo Sales Manager at the time. VR-HVY was actually a second-hand purchase, bought from British Airways when its cargo division was wound up, and it went through a big overhaul at HAECO to convert it to CX speci cations. HK Trader was “christened” in a ceremony at Kai Tak on 30 April 1982 led by Lady YK Kan, with the festivities enriched by “two lovely Hong Kong ladies lowered from the aircraft in an AQ6 [unit load device]”. The aircraft went into service that same night, carrying more than 100 tonnes to Europe and putting CX on a path to becoming the world’s biggest international air cargo carrier. SHOWING THEY CARE: The students being helped by the PCCCI thanked their sponsors at the Chicago-themed party (above). Members got into the spirit of the occasion (below). Chicago bash marks year of good work It was Chicago all the way when the Philippine Cabin Crew Charities Inc (PCCCI) celebrated turning one on 4 November. The party, held at Valle Verde Six Clubhouse in Manila, had a Roaring 20s theme with more than 150 guests dressing up in the tradition of the Great Gatsby. Showing their support by joining the members for the event were General Manager Cabin Crew Liza Ng, Cabin Crew Line Manager – ISM & SP Kevin Ip and Cabin Crew Manager Steven Tsang, with Country Manager Philippines Martin Xu also dropping by. “It was great to see them there,” says one of the PCCCI organisers, Infl ight Service Manager Adelaida Padua. The PCCCI supports fi ve students attending the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) and has a similar arrangement with the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. “The students are given a monthly stipend to meet their school expenses and we meet up with them as much as possible as well as monitor their progress via school reports,” Adelaida says. “The students also came to the event and it was a great chance for them to meet the members. They mentioned how touched they were by the generosity shown to them, which has allowed them continue their education. I hope it will also inspire them to help others,” she adds. In its fi rst year, the PCCCI has also done community outreach in the form of feeding programmes and Christmas visits in the Philippines. More events are being planned for 2012 to help fund the projects and perhaps expand the reach to more students. “There are 10 core organisers doing the legwork and sending messages out, and it’s a lot of work to fi t around our schedules,” Adelaida says. “But it’s worth it.” Membership has been growing steadily with more than 150 paid-up members, most of them active or retired cabin crew. “We also have about 360 fans on the Facebook page,” Adelaida says. “Some are retired crew in Sydney, Toronto and Vancouver. This network is wasted if you don’t tap into it and you’d be amazed at the way they can get organised in their country and help out.” Search for “PCCCI friends” on Facebook for more information. 9
Page 1 and 2: WIN A 747-8F MODEL! 10 die-cast Das
Page 3 and 4: Many challenges, more opportunities
Page 5 and 6: Expansion in view Asia Miles target
Page 7: itor body, the ICAC. Following thei
Page 11: Airline gets ready for EU emissions
Page 14 and 15: 14 Laying down foundations in Yunna
Page 16: 16 The hills are alive Customer Rel

HONG KONG WINNER - Cathay Pacific

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?