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Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific faces customer backlash over membership changes

City’s flag carrier accused of prioritising top-tier clients with introduction of ‘Diamond Exec’ status and removal of mid-tier benefits from 2027

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Cathay Pacific Airways have been accused of prioritising top-tier clients after announcing plans to revamp its membership policy. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has suddenly announced plans to revamp its membership policy, prompting criticism from customers who have accused the airline of prioritising top-tier clients.

In a press release on Wednesday, the airline stated it would introduce several changes aimed at enhancing the experience of its members. These include a new “Diamond Exec” tier and the removal of certain benefits for customers beyond a specific status level.

“We are evolving the Cathay membership programme with our current and future members in mind, offering them a smoother, simpler and better membership experience,” Vivian Lo, Cathay’s director of customer lifestyle, said.

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Hong Kong airport in talks with 20 airlines to launch flights to city

Airport Authority meeting 20 airlines at Routes World, signs two memorandums of understanding with Indonesia and Wuhan

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A Cathay Pacific Airways plane takes off from Hong Kong airport. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong’s Airport Authority is in talks with more than 20 international airlines, including ones from Europe and the US, over launching new routes to the city as it ups its game to entice foreign carriers with incentives.

Chapman Fong Shui-man, the authority’s director for hub development, said on Thursday that the statutory body had arranged to meet more than 20 global airlines during the Routes World aviation forum in Hong Kong in a bid to secure new routes to the city.

“The Routes World forum is a crucial event for the industry … We hope it will help us attract more airlines and expand our network, further solidifying the city’s position as a leading international aviation hub in Asia,” he said.

“We’ve arranged to meet over 20 airlines during the three-day conference, focusing on strategic and high-potential growth regions. I met some of them yesterday, including those from Europe and the US. They are very positive about launching new routes to Hong Kong.”

Speaking at the event, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po pledged to reinforce ties with traditional partners in the West while expanding the city’s network across the globe.

“The world is changing rapidly, with geopolitics reshaping global economic dynamics and patterns of passenger travel. Hong Kong’s role as a gateway to the mainland will only grow stronger,” he said.

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