Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong-based airline, has launched a direct flight between its hub at Hong Kong and Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, offering customers from Hong Kong and across Asia-Pacific an exciting opportunity to explore the capital and financial centre of Saudi Arabia, and experience the diverse cultural offerings of the Middle East.

In a press statement, Cathay Pacific says that these flights also connect more customers from the Middle East to Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and beyond.

The airline says that the new service not only enhances Cathay Pacific’s network in this important region, but also deepens trade, business and cultural ties between the airline’s home city, Hong Kong, and countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

According to the statement, to mark this significant milestone, Cathay Pacific celebrated the launch of the route’s inaugural flight with a ceremony at Hong Kong International Airport, hosted by Patrick Healy, Chairman, Cathay Group and Lavinia Lau, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, Cathay Pacific.

The statement adds that the launch ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR (HKSAR) Government, who travelled to Riyadh to lead a delegation of over 100 financial, business and information technology leaders from Hong Kong. Also attending the ceremony were Hamad Aljebreen, Consul General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Hong Kong, Jeffrey Lam, Non-Official Member of the Executive Council, Vivian Cheung, Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Laurence Li, Chairman of the Financial Services Development Council and Nicholas Ho, Commissioner for Belt and Road.

“The relaunched Cathay service symbolises the growing ties between Hong Kong and Riyadh. I am confident it will accelerate business, cultural and people-to-people ties between our two cities and our two economies. As Hong Kong continues to expand its role in the Belt and Road Initiative, this connection will surely fast track the future success of both regions. It also aligns aptly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030,” Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary, said at launch event.

“The inauguration of our Hong Kong-Riyadh route is another testament to Cathay’s commitment to strengthening Hong Kong’s global connectivity as an international aviation hub, and our continued support for the Central Government’s Belt and Road Initiative. The new service further expands our footprint in the Middle East, an important region in the world, while promoting opportunities for business, trade and tourism along the Belt and Road. With the commissioning of the Three-Runway System just weeks away, Hong Kong’s aviation industry is entering an exciting new era, and we look forward to playing our part as our home hub continues to go from strength to strength,” said Healy.

Arriving at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport onboard the inaugural flight, Cathay’s Lavinia Lau was received by Riyadh Airports Company Chief Commercial Officer Abdulaziz Al-Asaker and representatives from the Saudi Air Connectivity Programme. In addition, Cathay hosted an evening cocktail reception to mark the route launch with its partners and stakeholders in the Saudi Arabia capital.

“This is truly an exciting occasion for all of us at Cathay Pacific. We are committed to making our home city a leading international aviation hub that connects people to the most amazing cities around the globe. Riyadh, as the capital and financial centre of Saudi Arabia, is a fantastic addition to our network. We can’t wait to see how our new flights will spark more trade and cultural exchanges between our two vibrant cities, and indeed the rest of the Middle East. We very much look forward to welcoming customers from Riyadh and the region onboard our flights, whether they are travelling to Hong Kong to experience everything that our home city has to offer, or seamlessly connecting to the many onward destinations across Asia-Pacific that we fly to,” Lau said on the occasion.