Sri Lanka Tourism officials, in collaboration with Airport & Aviation authorities, orchestrated a vibrant welcome for the inaugural flight of Cathay Pacific Airways, CX 611, on February 1, 2024, at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
Passengers and crew members were greeted by representatives from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and Mr. Thisum Jayasuriya, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, at the Tourism Information Centre.
After a hiatus of several years, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong's largest carrier, recommenced flights to Sri Lanka. Operating with an Airbus 330-300 aircraft, the airline's new flight schedule entails operations thrice weekly, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
With a presence in the Sri Lankan market for over three decades, Cathay Pacific has played a pivotal role in bolstering the country's tourism sector. Despite a temporary cessation of operations in March 2020 due to the global pandemic, the airline contributed to pandemic relief efforts by transporting essential supplies, including COVID vaccines, via a Boeing 747 freighter.
The inaugural flight, carrying 253 passengers, was greeted with a warm, colorful reception featuring traditional cultural performances organized by Sri Lanka Tourism. This milestone marks a significant moment in history, as Cathay Pacific's extensive network spanning approximately 80 destinations worldwide holds promise for enhancing Sri Lanka's tourism profile.
The resumption of Cathay Pacific's operations is expected to attract an influx of tourists, positioning Sri Lanka as a premier travel destination. The connectivity provided by Cathay Pacific is poised to appeal to travelers from the Far East, particularly China and Hong Kong, thereby catalyzing tourism growth and economic development in Sri Lanka.
