Cathay proudly hosts its inaugural Cathay Inter-School Aviation Challenge Cup

The live competition brings together secondary school students across Hong Kong to explore aviation through teamwork and problem-solving

January 27, 2026 -- Cathay was delighted to host the inaugural Cathay Inter-School Aviation Challenge Cup (CISACC) on Sunday, 25 January at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. This initiative reflects Cathay‘s commitment to being a positive force for the community and nurturing the next generation of aviation enthusiasts for the Hong Kong international aviation hub.

The competition began with four preliminary rounds, each featuring four schools, with the top four teams of each round progressing to the Finale. The remaining teams competed in the CISACC Plate Competition, a STEAM-based aircraft building challenge judged on aircraft performance, geometry and structure, livery and teamwork.

Hosted by Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau, the event was attended by Chief Flight Standards of the Civil Aviation Department Captain Lawrence Wong as Guest of Honour, as well as Hong Kong Youth Aviation Academy (HKYAA) Chairman Captain Patrick Lau and other distinguished guests.

Delivering a speech at the event, Chief Flight Standards of the Civil Aviation Department Captain Lawrence Wong said: “Beginning with a single runway at Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong’s civil aviation has since evolved into today’s fully operational Three‑Runway System. As the industry marked its 100th anniversary in 2025, this remarkable journey reflects its continuous pursuit of high‑quality development.

“Over the years, the Civil Aviation Department has worked closely with local airlines, the Government Flying Service, training institutions, aviation youth groups and the Hong Kong Youth Aviation Academy, among others, to nurture talent in flying, engineering, maintenance and aviation management through diverse training programmes that support the industry’s long‑term development.

“The Cathay Inter‑School Aviation Challenge Cup provides a valuable platform for young people to deepen their understanding of the aviation industry through reading and an interactive quiz format, helping to build a strong foundation for those aspiring to join the civil aviation sector in the future. The Civil Aviation Department is pleased to see the continued development of such initiatives and looks forward to their expansion to more regions, attracting wider youth participation and jointly promoting the sustainable development of the civil aviation industry on both national and local levels.”

Delivering a speech at the event, Chief Flight Standards of the Civil Aviation Department Captain Lawrence Wong said that CISACC provides a valuable platform for young people to deepen their…

In her speech, Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau expressed hopes for CISACC to become an annual event, with plans to expand it to the wider Greater Bay Area to…

Cathay’s Lavinia Lau said: “At Cathay, we are committed to being a force of positivity for the community, with a key focus on promoting youth development. It is truly heartening to see so many bright young minds come together today to showcase their talent and teamwork. By making aviation education more engaging, accessible and rewarding, initiatives like AeroQuiz and CISACC provide young people with a platform to build confidence, broaden their horizons and pursue their ambitions.

“With an annual Cup format and plans to expand it into the wider Greater Bay Area, we hope to encourage even more students to aim high and return each year to compete as their first step towards an exciting future in aviation. I look forward to seeing many future leaders take flight from this platform and contribute to Hong Kong’s continued success as an international aviation hub.”

After an exhilarating finale where four top-performing schools battled it out onstage, Christian Alliance S. C. Chan Memorial College emerged as the first-ever CISACC champion team, earning a place in the Cathay I Can Fly Youth Academy, which includes the Cathay I Can Fly Youth Academy Adelaide Trip to further explore different aspects of aviation and engage in cross-cultural interactions. The winning team said: “We feel extremely thrilled and heartened to have been named the winner. This truly feels like a dream come true, and we’re proud that all our hard work has paid off. We are very much looking forward to more future aviation experiences, exploring the world of aviation from different perspectives and broadening our horizons.”

Other finalists received aviation-themed awards, including round-trip flight tickets to any Asia destination within Cathay Pacific’s network and a flight simulator experience. The top three teams were also given priority to participate in the next edition of the Cathay I Can Fly Youth Academy. In addition, St. Joseph's College was named the winner in the CISACC Plate Competition.

The finalists competed for the top spot in a live showdown.

Christian Alliance S. C. Chan Memorial College was named the champion team of the inaugural Cathay Inter-School Aviation Challenge Cup.

In June 2025, Cathay and HKYAA launched AeroQuiz, a web-based platform open to the general public to enhance aviation knowledge, along with a dedicated stream for secondary schools. The top 16 schools with the highest average student scores from AeroQuiz advanced to CISACC, where they put their knowledge to the test and showcased their problem-solving skills in a live showdown.

Since its launch, AeroQuiz has attracted more than 760 participants, over 200 of whom are secondary school students from some 90 schools across Hong Kong. The second CISACC will take place later this year as a defendable Cup, and all schools are encouraged to qualify again through the AeroQuiz school stream.

Together, AeroQuiz, CISACC and the Cathay I Can Fly programme form an interconnected suite of youth development initiatives that reaffirm Cathay’s long-standing commitment to empowering youth and cultivating interest in the aviation industry. Stepping into 2026, Cathay looks forward to launching a host of new community initiatives and partnerships as it celebrates its 80th anniversary.

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