The Asia aviation sector will continue to grow in influence in
the coming years, Cathay Pacific Airways Chief Executive Tony Tyler
said Monday.
Speaking at the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress
2007 which opened Monday, Tyler said, spurred by fast-rising demand
in burgeoning markets such as the Chinese mainland and India, the
Asia aviation sector will continue to grow in influence in the
coming years.
Asia's carriers are "the best carriers in the world", Tyler
said, "but we are also on the way to becoming the biggest airlines
in the world. The reason this is happening, apart from growth in
the region generally, is the enormous growth in India and China.
This is happening fast and it will continue to drive the
increasingly important influence of Asian aviation."
Tyler outlined Cathay Pacific's strategy, including the
integration of Dragonair with its extensive Chinese mainland
network and the equity relationship the airline now enjoys with Air
China, for developing twin hubs in Hong Kong and Beijing. "Hubbing
is what it's all about and Cathay Pacific is now truly a network
carrier with over 50 percent of our passengers making connections
through Hong Kong," Tyler said.
Tyler also pointed to three key challenges Asian carriers will
face: the growing environmental debate, airspace congestion and
ever-increasing competition.
Cathay Pacific Airways has been named the Official Carrier of
Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress 2007, which kick
started on Monday at AsiaWorld-Expo, which is alongside Hong Kong
International Airport.
The four-day trade-only event has attracted more than 500
exhibiting companies from over 20 countries and regions, 12
national pavilions, 1,000 conference delegates, 100 speakers; with
up to 10,000 trade visitors expected, and more than 200 media
accredited.
(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2007)
