Cathay Pacific to launch new service to Jeddah,

Cathay Pacific Airways has launched its new service to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's second major commercial city, with an inaugural flight landed in the King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah at 8:19am Saudi Arabian time on 27 OCT 2009G (8 Dhu Al-Qa'dah 1430H). The four-times-weekly service will operate through Dubai on the way to and from Hong Kong.

The new service, to be operated by an Airbus A330-300 aircraft in a two-class configuration, will increase the airline's presence in the increasingly important Middle Eastern market, connecting business and leisure passengers to Cathay Pacific's extensive international network through the Hong Kong hub.

Cathay Pacific launched its service to the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, in 2001 and the number of flights per week was recently increased from five times a week to daily in response to sustained demand. The new service to Jeddah will offer Saudi Arabian travellers more flexibility and convenience when travelling to the Far East and beyond.

Jeddah is now Cathay Pacific's 46th online passenger destination and marks the airline's latest destination launch since Chennai in June 2008.

Cathay Pacific Airways Country Manager Bahrain, Saudi Arabia Mr. Daniel Cheung said "We are very pleased to introduce Jeddah in our network. The launch of Cathay Pacific Airways new service to Jeddah is a sign of our commitment to the Middle Eastern region. We believe that this service will help foster a closer bilateral trade link between Hong Kong, Greater China and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." Engr. Mazen A. Al-Khashggi, Director General of KAIA expressed his pleasure with the arrival of Cathay Pacific's first flight to Jeddah, and stated "This step increases the variety KAIA is introducing to its passengers as part of its strategic plans to accommodate more travellers and airliners. And since it is the main gateway to the Two Holy Mosques and the main entrance for tourist and businessmen, KAIA is targeted by international airline companies." He added.

KAIA accommodates the needs of 3 national airlines and 60 foreign airlines, implementing the highest levels of technical support and security measures for the aviation industry. KAIA is currently handling up to 18 million passengers a year and is expanding its capacity and capabilities, including new terminals, to allow for continuous growth in the number of domestic, international, pilgrims, tourist and business travellers.(C) 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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