Cathay lauds HK budget for commitment to global transport

HONG KONG's Cathay Pacific said it welcomes the Hong Kong Government's budget strategy to invest heavily in infrastructure, optimise the business environment and enhance competitiveness in trading, logistics, financial and professional services as well as tourism.


The airline said it was heartened by Financial Secretary John Tsang's acknowledgement that "reinforcing Hong Kong's position as an international and regional transport hub is vital to our economic development", and that the government will "continue to invest in transport infrastructure projects and optimise our highly efficient multimodal transport services".


Said Cathay CEO Tony Tyler: "Cathay Pacific is committed to enhancing the status of Hong Kong as a leading international aviation hub and the premier gateway into mainland China for both passenger and cargo services."


Mr Tyler, who leaves Cathay in April to head the International Air Transport Association in Geneva, said the airline was making major investments in the Hong Kong hub through building a new air cargo terminal.


"We support the development of a third runway at HKIA [Hong Kong International Airport], which we see as an urgent priority in the face of runway capacity constraints and growing competition from neighbouring hubs. We look forward to the roll out of the HKIA Master Plan 2030 Study," Mr Tyler said.


Mr Tyler also expressed satisfaction at government plans to capitalise on the "China advantage" and would support Hong Kong's efforts in complementing the National 12th Five-Year Plan.


"We particularly welcome the government's remarks on maintaining closer ties with the mainland to facilitate cargo movements within the region. We hope this will lead to a simplified and more efficient flow of cargo transhipments," he said.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)