Cathay increases seat capacity

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Tapping the improving economic relations between Indonesia and China, Cathay Pacific has increased its seat capacity for its service from Jakarta to Hong Kong, which could serve as a gateway to China.

Cathay's chief executive Philip N.L. Chen said here on Wednesday that the company anticipated an increase in the number of passengers between Indonesia and Hong Kong.

"This shows we have confidence in Indonesia as a whole," Chen said, explaining that those coming to Indonesia were not only people from Hong Kong but also from America, Europe, and most importantly, from mainland China.

Despite the direct flights between China's mainland cities and Jakarta, Chen expressed optimism that many people would still choose to transit through Hong Kong for convenience.

Hong Kong is connected to 44 destinations in mainland China. In addition, Hong Kong has a lot to offer, including the newly opened Disneyland, Chen said.

As of this month, Cathay has increased its capacity by 150 seats by rerouting its daily flights from Jakarta-Singapore-Hong Kong to a direct flight from Jakarta-Hong Kong.

With the change, all Cathay flights from Indonesia's three main international airports -- Jakarta, Surabaya and Denpasar -- are now direct flights to Hong Kong, with no stopovers.

Cathay is currently flying to Jakarta twice daily or 14 times a week, Surabaya four times a week, and Bali 11 times a week.

Such flight frequencies represents a 100 percent increase from that of the mid-1990s, according to Cathay's country manager, Richard Reed.

"This year is special for us. It is the first time that our sales have surpassed our pre-crisis level in 1996. So, for us, 'Krismon' is over," Reed said, referring to the monetary crisis.