Cathay increases seat capacity

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.