News
Cathay Dragon authorized for U.S. flights and agrees Shenzhen Airlines codeshare
July 7th 2017
Cathay Pacific Airways’ 100%-owned subsidiary, Cathay Dragon, has been granted permission to launch passenger flights to the U.S. after the Department of Transportation approved the carrier’s request for an amended foreign air carrier permit. Read More »
Until now, Cathay Dragon only was permitted to fly from Hong Kong to Guam, although it does not currently offer scheduled service to the mid-Pacific island.
Cathay Dragon is reportedly considering beginning service to Guam, Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands and Hawaii. Cathay adversaries, Hong Kong Airlines and HK Express, fly to Guam and Saipan. There is no nonstop service between Hong Kong and Hawaii.
Separately, Cathay Dragon – a oneworld associate – has announced an expansion of its codeshare agreement with Shenzhen Airlines – a Star Alliance member – that will see the airline add three destinations to its network in Mainland China.
In the strengthened agreement, Cathay Dragon's "KA" code will be placed on Shenzhen Airlines' flights between Hong Kong and Yantai, Jinan and Harbin and Shenzhen Airlines' "ZH" code will be on Cathay Dragon's services between Hong Kong and Nanjing and Xi'an. Cathay Dragon has been code sharing on Shenzhen Airlines flights between Hong Kong and Jinjiang since 2015.
From July 11, members of Cathay’s Asia Miles will be able to earn and redeem miles on selected Shenzhen Airlines flights. The eligible routes include domestic sectors within Mainland China and sectors between Mainland China and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
“Shenzhen Airlines is continuously strengthening its international network. Being able to earn and redeem award miles will make their journeys even more rewarding,” said its general manager of international affairs and frequent flyer programmes, Ma Yunchun.
Cathay and now Cathay Dragon are developing a number of partnerships outside their oneworld alliance membership, most significantly with the Lufthansa Group between Hong Kong, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand.
From July 12, Cathay will place its "CX" code on MIAT Mongolian Airlines’ four times a week service between Hong Kong and Ulaanbaatar. MIAT will add its "OM" code on selected Cathay flights between Hong Kong and Singapore, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Cathay Pacific’s chief customer and commercial officer, Paul Loo, said the agreement underlined the carrier’s commitment to provide its passengers with better connectivity and new destinations. Ulaanbaatar is quickly making a name for itself as an important business hub, one which we expect to grow on the back of this new agreement,” said Loo.
“This is a winning step for both airlines and will provide our passengers with convenient access to Singapore and Australia via the super hub in Hong Kong. Our route networks complement each other perfectly. This cooperation is very significant for our landlocked country's national flag carrier,” said MIAT president and CEO, Tamir Tumurbaatar.
