Further expanding the Group’s global network as it strives to reach 100 destinations worldwide this year
March 10, 2025 -- Cathay Pacific is pleased to announce another addition to its expanding global network this year with the launch of direct flights between Hong Kong and Urumqi starting 28 April 2025. The new four-times-weekly return service will bring the Cathay Group’s combined passenger network in the Chinese Mainland to 20 destinations.
This summer, Cathay Pacific and low-cost carrier HK Express will operate over 290 return flights per week between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. This includes Beijing (Capital International Airport and Daxing International Airport), Shanghai (Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport), Chengdu, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Sanya, Urumqi, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Xi’an, Xiamen and Zhengzhou.
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “Urumqi is an exciting new addition to our network, directly connecting our home city with an important Belt and Road hub in Northwestern China. We are delighted to introduce Urumqi as the Cathay Group’s 11th new port announced so far this year, as we move one step closer to reaching 100 destinations globally in 2025.
At a glance
- Company
- Cathay Pacific
- Announcement
- Expansion
- Location
- Hong Kong
Key figures
- Weekly Hong Kong–Urumqi return service
- four-times-weekly
- Cathay Group Chinese Mainland passenger destinations
- 20
- Weekly return flights between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland this summer
- over 290
- Worldwide destination goal for 2025
- 100 destinations
People
- Lavinia LauCathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer
Products and programs
“As Hong Kong’s home airline, we have deep roots in our home city and are proudly part of China. We are committed to providing our customers with even more destination and flight choices when travelling between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and beyond. We look forward to welcoming customers through our flights to experience what Urumqi has to offer.”
Cathay Pacific’s new Hong Kong-Urumqi route will be operated by the airline’s Airbus A330-300 aircraft, providing customers with comfortable Business and Economy cabins. Flight schedules are as follows (all times local, subject to regulatory approval):
Hong Kong – Urumqi (28 April 2025)
Through the Cathay Group’s Hong Kong hub, customers travelling from the Chinese Mainland can connect to its extensive global network with destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, South West Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Under the Individual Visit Scheme, customers from Urumqi can also visit Hong Kong in their individual capacity.
Aside from Urumqi, Cathay Pacific will launch direct flights to Hyderabad in March, Dallas in April, Rome and Munich in June, and Brussels in August this year. HK Express commenced services to Sendai in January and will launch direct flights to Nha Trang, Komatsu and Ishigaki in April, and Miyako (Shimojishima) in June.
The two airlines project to operate passenger services to more than 100 destinations worldwide within 2025.
For more information, please visit www.cathaypacific.com.
If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours.
In brief
Cathay Pacific plans to begin nonstop service between Hong Kong and Urumqi on 28 April 2025, adding Urumqi to the Cathay Group’s Chinese Mainland passenger network. The route is scheduled to run four times weekly in both directions and will use Airbus A330-300 aircraft with Business and Economy cabins, subject to regulatory approval. Cathay says the addition will bring its combined passenger network in the Chinese Mainland to 20 destinations. This summer, Cathay Pacific and HK Express expect to operate more than 290 weekly return flights between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. The company says the new connection supports its effort to serve 100 destinations worldwide in 2025. Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau described Urumqi as a new connection from the group’s Hong Kong hub.
Key takeaways
- Cathay Pacific plans to launch direct Hong Kong–Urumqi flights on 28 April 2025.
- The service is scheduled to operate four times weekly in each direction, subject to regulatory approval.
- The route will raise the Cathay Group’s Chinese Mainland passenger network to 20 destinations.
- Cathay Pacific and HK Express plan over 290 weekly return flights between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland this summer.
Earlier from Cathay Pacific
- Cathay Pacific takes home two prestigious design accolades, the German Design Award and the Red Dot Design Award
- Cathay Pacific collaborates with acclaimed restaurant Mott 32 to bring an elevated dining experience to The Pier, First class lounge
- Cathay Pacific returns to Rome this summer
- Cathay Pacific partners with Michelin-starred restaurant Yat Tung Heen to offer customers a taste of home in the skies
- Cathay Pacific wins big at TheDesignAir Awards 2024