Cathay Pacific returns to New Zealand with Boeing 777 flights from November 27

Cathay Pacific will resume flights between Hong Kong and Auckland with two services per week starting Friday, November 27.

The airline describes it as a small but potentially significant step and the announcement follows the establishment of a quarantine-free travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore.

Cathay flights in Auckland are in addition to codeshare flights operated by Air New Zealand that will continue to work with Cathay Pacific to operate three flights per week in November and two flights per week in December.

Strict quarantine and testing requirements are maintained at each end of the flights.

Cathay Pacific South West Pacific Regional General Manager Rakesh Raicar said: “I am delighted to be able to share some positive news about the return of Cathay Pacific to the skies of New Zealand. Our return is a small but significant step.”

Exporters will also welcome flights, as cargo space from New Zealand will be reduced this summer.

The airline had been operating two daily flights to Auckland, as well as services from Christchurch for the past summer, before the pandemic hit.

Passengers flying to Auckland on the new flights will be required to comply with New Zealand border controls, which include reserving and securing their spot in a Managed Isolation Facility prior to boarding their flight as part of the Government Managed Isolation Assignment System of New Zealand.

Kiwis traveling to Hong Kong undergo a saliva test for Covid-19 upon arrival and must present the result of the health declaration to Department of Health staff.

“Depending on the situation of the travelers, they will receive the corresponding arrangements,” says the Hong Kong government website.

“The Government takes a risk-based approach to deciding on the appropriate quarantine facilities [such as home, hotels or other premises] for different groups of incoming travelers. “

Cathay Pacific says face covering will be mandatory on flights, which will be on a Boeing 777-300.

“We have adjusted the preparation and serving of meals, blocked seats whenever possible, brought in health checks and temperature controls, as well as equipped counters and common areas with an antimicrobial coating to provide an invisible barrier against viruses and bacteria.” Raicar said.

He said the airline was proud of the cleanliness of its planes and had been recognized by Skytrax as one of the ten cleanest airlines in the world for five years in a row.

With reliance on international flights, Cathay Pacific has been rocked by the pandemic and reduced its workforce by a quarter or close to 8,500 worldwide and killed its regional airline, Dragon.

Before Covid-19, it had suffered a drop in demand due to civil unrest in Hong Kong.

But Cathay, and Singapore Airlines, got good news this week with the announcement of a non-quarantine travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore starting on November 22. Both city states have had relatively low levels of community transmission of Covid and have strict health protocols. instead.

Travelers from Singapore to Hong Kong need a Covid-19 test before and after flying. Those flying from Hong Kong to Singapore will only need to do a pre-departure test.