CATHAY PACIFIC TO LAUNCH NEW SERVICE TO KARACHI

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced the launch of a new service between Hong Kong and Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan. The service will start on 1 September and operate three times a week via Bangkok. The addition of Karachi increases the number of Cathay Pacific's destinations to 50 and further strengthens Hong Kong's position as Asia's leading aviation centre.

The new route should prove popular with both business and leisure travellers. Karachi has a population of more than 13 million and is Pakistan's major trading and commercial centre. The city is also an important transit hub for domestic travel around the country. Pakistan has growing business links with Hong Kong and more than 25,000 Pakistan residents visited Hong Kong last year.

Leisure travellers from Hong Kong can use Karachi as a base to explore some of the attractions of Pakistan including its colourful bazaars, historic sites, and spectacular mountain scenery. Pakistan travellers can experience the excitement of Hong Kong or use Hong Kong as the gateway to China.

Cathay Pacific's Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive David Turnbull said: "The launch of our new service to Karachi is part of our commitment to further enhance the connections between Hong Kong and rest of Asia. The growing trade between Pakistan, Hong Kong and Mainland China should make this a very successful addition to our network."

Cathay Pacific will operate the new route using an Airbus Industrie A330-300, a medium range aircraft which can carry 311 passengers in two classes.

The flight schedule for the new service will be as follows:

Flight Route Departure Arrival Days

CX701 Hong Kong-Bangkok 3:50pm 5:30pm Mon/Fri

Bangkok-Karachi 6:30pm 9:30pm Mon/Fri

CX703 Hong Kong-Bangkok 5:35pm 7:20pm Wed

Bangkok-Karachi 8:20pm 11:20pm Wed

CX700 Karachi-Bangkok 12:20am 7:20am Tue/Sat

Bangkok-Hong Kong 8:20am 12:20pm Tue/Sat

CX700 Karachi-Bangkok 12:35am 7:35am Thu

Bangkok-Hong Kong 8:35am 12:35pm Thu

These flights will be open for bookings from tomorrow. Passengers can book through their travel agent or contact any Cathay Pacific reservations office.