Cathay Pacific Confirms new Newark Connection

Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has been studying network expansion in North America for a number of years and it has been widely expected that it would complement its existing link to New York with an additional service to Newark. This speculation has now been confirmed as the carrier has revealed its intent to launch a new daily service to Newark’s Liberty International Airport from its Hong International Airport hub from March 1, 2014, subject to government approval.

The city of Newark is located west of Manhattan Island and the new service will complement Cathay Pacific’s current three-times-daily service to John F Kennedy International Airport in New York. The launch of the Newark service will provide more convenience and greater flexibility for passengers travelling to and from the New York metropolitan area, according to the Asian carrier.

Cathay Pacific confirms that the Newark service will be operated using a Boeing 777-300ER featuring its new cabin products, including its awarding-winning Business Class, Premium Economy Class and its new Economy Class seating. Newark will become Cathay Pacific’s fifth gateway in the US with the airline currently serving Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, carrying around 1.84 million passengers a year between Asia and the US on its own and codeshare services.

“Our New York service has long been popular with business and leisure travellers alike. The addition of the Newark service will provide a more convenient option for business travellers living or working in New Jersey,” said John Slosar, chief executive officer, Cathay Pacific. “By providing yet more flights to the New York metropolitan area, we can offer passengers even more choice and flexibility and, at the same time, continue to boost Hong Kong’s standing as an international aviation hub.”

Cathay Pacific is currently the only airline providing non-stop services between Hong Kong and New York. It upgraded the route with the introduction of a second daily rotation in November 2007 when the Boeing 777-300 debuted on the service. A third daily flight was introduced from April 2011, while since February 2012 all the services have been flown using 777-300ER equipment. In 2012 an estimated 352,000 bi-directional O&D passengers travelled on the route with Cathay Pacific handling around 88.4 per cent of this traffic.



The Hong Kong – Newark offering will see Cathay Pacific operate alongside its Star Alliance partner United Airlines. The carrier currently operates a daily flight using a 777, having inherited the route from Continental Airlines following its merger. An estimated 106,000 bi-directional O&D passengers travelled on this route in 2012, up 12.2 per cent on the previous year. In the table below we highlight the changing O&D demand on the routes between Hong Kong and New York and Newark.

Routes

Photo:FPP-LHR