Cathay Pacific
Airways yesterday launched its new service between Hong Kong and Saudi
Arabias capital Riyadh. The first flight touched down in Riyadh
slightly ahead of schedule at 10:53pm. The new service involved two
return flights a week and utilises Cathay Pacifics Boeing 777-200
aircraft.
Riyadh is the second new destination Cathay Pacific has launched this
year. In March the airline commenced services to Indias capital Delhi.
The airline has also announced it will begin flights to the Japanese
city of Sapporo in 2 December.
The city of Riyadh is rich in history and home to many archaeological
sites and museums. The attractions include the Masmak Fortress, Murraba
Palace, Al-Thumairi Gate and the ruins of the old capital Diraiyah. As
Saudi Arabias capital, it also acts as an ideal base to visit other
Saudi Arabian cities.
Cathay Pacifics Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said:
Riyadh is an important addition to Cathay Pacifics passenger network
and will help further enhance Hong Kongs position as Asias leading
aviation hub.
Details of the new Riyadh service are as follows:
Flight |
Route |
Departure |
Arrival |
Days
|
CX733 |
Hong
Kong - Bahrain
Bahrain - Riyadh |
4:30pm
9:55pm |
8:45pm
11:20pm |
Wednesday and
Sunday |
CX732 |
Riyadh - Hong Kong |
12:30am |
1:25pm |
Thursday and Monday |
Cathay Pacific
first began flying to the Middle East in November 1976. Following the
launch of the new service to Riyadh, it now operates 18 passenger
flights a week to destinations in the Middle East. This includes seven
flights a week to Bahrain, nine to Dubai, and two to Riyadh. |