Cathay Pacific has today landed the first commercial flight at the new Third Runway of Hong Kong International Airport. Flight CX3251 from Shanghai (Pudong), a Boeing 747-400F freighter touched down at 08:27 local time today.
On Friday (July 8, 2022), Cathay Pacific announced that they have operated the very first commercial flight to land at Hong Kong International Airport’s (HKG’s) new Third Runway. Flight CX3251 from Shanghai (Pudong), operated by a Boeing 747-400F freighter touched down at 08:27 local time today, and the flight was conducted as part of the operation familiarization of the new runway. This allows stakeholders from the aviation community to become familiar with the related operational procedures and collaborative arrangements.
In Friday’s announcment, Cathay Pacific’s Chief Executive Officer, Augustus Tang, said,
“We are delighted to be the first airline to operate a commercial flight using the new Third Runway, and for that flight to be operated by the ‘Queen of the Skies’, one of our 747 freighters. Our freighter fleet has played a pivotal role in keeping essential supplies, notably vaccines and testing kits, moving between Hong Kong and the rest of the world throughout the pandemic. I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Civil Aviation Department and all other stakeholders involved in the operation familiarisation for their assistance and support.
“The commencement of the Third Runway is a milestone achievement for the Hong Kong international aviation hub that will greatly enhance its capacity and capability for handling passenger and cargo flights. As an aviation hub, Hong Kong has a critical role to play in the country’s development, as outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan. The growth potential afforded by the commencement of the Three-Runway System at HKIA, together with the opportunities presented by the Greater Bay Area, will ensure that Cathay Pacific and our home hub will remain competitive for many years to come.”
Cathay Pacific Group is one of the world’s largest international cargo carriers and operates a dedicated freighter fleet to 45 destinations across Asia, North America, Australia, Europe and Africa. Cathay Pacific Cargo’s fleet includes 14 Boeing 747-8Fs and six 747-400ERFs (Extended Range Freighters). The Group also includes Air Hong Kong, an express all-cargo airline offering scheduled and charter services throughout Asia.
Source: Cathay Pacific