MANAMA: Cathay Pacific, one of the oldest airlines operating flights to Bahrain, expects the opening of Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA) new terminal next year to improve its competitiveness within the region.
The airline’s Middle East area manager Jonathan Ng told the GDN in an exclusive interview that it was good news for the development of aviation in Bahrain.
“We welcome the new terminal opening next year and we think it will embody the spirit of Bahrain and improve its competitiveness within the region,” he added.
“In 1976, Bahrain became our first destination in the Middle East and we’ve enjoyed a great relationship with our business partners, including our local general sales agent World Travel Services, ever since.”
The government has announced that the $1.1 billion expansion of BIA is on track to be completed by the third quarter of 2019.
The project will lead to the development of a new 207,000sqm terminal building, including a 4,600sqm departure hall, 104 check-in counters, 36 passport control booths and 24 security screening points.
The new passenger terminal will be four times the size of the existing terminal and be able to accommodate 14 million passengers a year.
Talking about the airline’s wider regional and global strategy, Mr Ng said a transformation process in line with a global vision to make the airline more competitive by improving the speed and quality of decision-making and putting a greater focus on customers, was started one year ago.
“We are reinventing our catering proposition which has already taken shape on some routes. We continue to improve productivity and efficiency in our operation. At the same time, we are keen to tap into new sources of revenue by connecting our home of Hong Kong to new geographies.
This year, the airline will launch seven new destinations – including Nanning and Jinan in mainland China, Brussels, Copenhagen and Dublin in Europe and Cape Town in South Africa.
“Although the global business environment remains challenging, there are positive signs and our business is buoyant having reported a sustained load factor of 84.4 per cent in 2017 and a 19.1pc increase cargo revenue.
“During the second half of 2017 we registered a profit of $101.8 million, compared with a loss during the first half.”
Mr Ng said he expects the positive results to continue this year.
“In addition to the new routes, we have increased frequencies to popular destinations, including Adelaide, Ho Chi Minh City, Osaka, Tokyo and a number of European and North American destinations.
“Code shares have also been signed with Air Astana and Cotai Water Jet to provide our customers with easier access to and from Kazakhstan and Macao,” he added.
“Capitalising on strong performance in cargo, we have also signed agreements with Atlas Air and DHL to expand capacity and revenue opportunities.”
Another milestone for Cathay Pacific this year, according to the official, is the launch of its first Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, serving a new route to Washington – the longest on the network at 8,153 miles.
“Cathay Pacific has one of the youngest long-haul fleets in the world and we are taking delivery of 79 new fuel efficient aircraft, including the technologically-advanced A350-1000, from now to 2024.
“These new aircraft are on
top of the 22 Airbus A350-900s we now have in our fleet, which have allowed us to fly cost-effectively to new destinations not otherwise served from Hong Kong,” he added.
On the airline’s use of technology, he said it was enabling Cathay to be more efficient.
“This has included the use of the auto messaging system to notify our passengers for flight delays, cancellations or diversions via SMS/email alert.
“To allow for easier interaction with our customers, we have recently upgraded our digital offerings such as an improved online booking platform with faster transactions, online and self-check-in experience. We are also using chatbots to assist our customers instantly with baggage allowance enquires.”
Cathay’s chatbot Vera is handling more than 15,000 conversations each month, he added.
Digitisation has also helped Cathay to have a quicker understanding of customers’ feedback, greater insights and preferences so it can invest in
what matters most, said Mr Ng.
“Our passenger volume is increasing and we will continue to improve our competitive position by expanding our route network, increasing frequencies on our most popular routes and buying more fuel-efficient aircraft.
“At our home in Hong Kong, we recently opened The Deck, our newest and very well received lounge, and very soon, Wi-Fi services will be available on all our wide-bodied aircraft, which is something our customers told us they value.
“Further, as a way to help our customers from the region get the most out of a visit to our home of Hong Kong, we have partnered with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to offer GCC travellers complimentary or discounted tours when they transit or stay in the city before June 30, 2018.”
avinash@gdn.com.bh
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