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☆ Masks off, beer poured at Hong Kong Rugby Sevens after COVID restrictions dropped
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The general view of Hong Kong Stadium during the first day of the Hong Kong Sevens tournament in Hong Kong, China November 4, 2022. The Hong Kong leg of British music festival Creamfields is also taking place on April 1-2. The Chinese special administrative region has hosted financial summits in the past two weeks as well as Art Basel Hong Kong, one of Asia's leading contemporary art fairs. Scores of events were cancelled, postponed or taken to other Asian cities such as Singapore, Bangkok and Seoul because of Hong Kong's rigid coronavirus rules. "Over 20% of tickets purchased in the public sale are coming from overseas audiences, signalling Hong Kong’s return is in full swing."

☆ Vacation destinations like Finland and Sicily are giving away free trips, flights, and hotels to revive tourism — see the full list
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sicily is offering discounted airfare and hotel stays, and Finland is giving away 10 free trips. Taiwan said it will pay international visitors $165 and Hong Kong is giving out 500,000 free flights. Sicily, Finland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are giving away free flights, hotel stays, excursions, and even straight cash. Hong KongThe central district of Hong Kong. Starting March 1, the tickets will be distributed by airlines Hong Kong Express, Cathay Pacific, and Hong Kong Airlines, Time Out reported.

☆ 5 cheaper alternatives to popular high-annual fee cards
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Ariana Arghandewal | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

It has a $150 annual fee, which can be offset by a $200 annual cash bonus when you spend $200,000 or more per year. With a steep annual fee and high spending requirements, the Spark 2% Cash Plus Card can be a tough sell for some business owners. Hilton Honors American Express Card instead of the Hilton Honors SurpassHilton's no annual fee card still provides generous perks. It has offers a $300 annual travel credit to partially offset the $550 annual fee, along with a Priority Pass membership. The card’s $395 annual fee is mostly offset by a $300 annual travel credit (valid on Capital One Travel bookings) and 10,000 anniversary miles (worth $100).

☆ China travel rebound bets turn toward airports, away from airlines
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"We are optimistic on a rebound in regional and international travel and continue to get exposure through airports and airplane leasing." Shares of Air China, China Eastern and China Southern have gained between 7% to 17% in the past four months, with Air China and China Southern trading above their 5-year average forward earnings, according to Refinitiv data. Airports under perform AirlinesIn the battle for Chinese travelers, local airlines are expected to fare better than regional airlines such as Qantas (QAN.AX), Singapore Airlines (SIAL.SI) and Cathay Pacific (0293.HK), mainly because Chinese airlines kept more widebody planes and staff ready. All three Chinese airlines are expected to swing to profit in 2023 after reporting big losses last year, according to Refinitiv data. Analysts expect Chinese airlines will see profits peak next year as international traffic makes a fuller rebound.

☆ We expect to reach 70% of passenger flight capacity by the end of the year, Cathay Pacific CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe expect to reach 70% of passenger flight capacity by the end of the year, Cathay Pacific CEO saysRonald Lam, Cathay Pacific CEO, says the airline is already at 50%.

☆ Cathay's CEO wants to turn the airline back to profitability, but faces manpower constraints
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Cathay Pacific hopes to be profitable again in 2023, but returning to its pre-pandemic capacity remains one of the airline's "biggest risks," its CEO told CNBC. "But I'm hopeful that this year we can turn around the business and be back in profit overall." However, the airline swung to an annual operating profit of HK$3.5 billion last year — the first since 2019, according to Refinitiv data. "We need to have manpower in the air manpower on the ground. We also need the airport workers to be ready to take on flights both in Hong Kong and overseas."

☆ Cathay’s people problem is Hong Kong’s too
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Thomas Shum | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, March 10 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Cathay Pacific (0293.HK) may be a high-flying reminder of the Asian finance hub’s pandemic-induced isolation for longer than anyone wants. It promises a swift reversal on a HK$6.5 billion ($834 million) net loss for 2022 Cathay reported on Wednesday. The company has close to 2,405 pilots, roughly 63% of pre-pandemic numbers, according to a survey conducted in March by the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association and seen by Breakingviews. That makes Cathay’s people problem Hong Kong’s too. Cathay Pacific carried 1.03 million passengers in January 2023, up from 24,699 last year.

☆ Cathay Pacific posts wider $834 mln loss in 2022, upbeat on outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

HONG KONG, March 8 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd (0293.HK) reported on Wednesday a loss of HK$6.55 billion ($834.42 million) for 2022, wider than the previous year's HK$5.53 billion loss, but was positive about the outlook, now that quarantining is no longer required. In January, the airline forecast a loss of between HK$6.4 billion and HK$7 billion ($815 million to $892 million) for the 12 months ended Dec. 31 after facing tough pandemic-related rules during the period. ($1 = 7.8498 Hong Kong dollars)Reporting By Anne Marie Roantree and Donny Kwok; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Cathay looks to 'rebuild' after brutal pandemic losses
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Cathay shares rose as much as 1.4% to HK$7.95 after the results were released, reversing morning losses and beating a 2.4% drop in the broader market (.HSI) as investors bet on a turnaround following heavy losses during the pandemic. "After three brutal years of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have finally entered into a new exciting phase, in which we will rebuild Cathay Pacific for Hong Kong." Cathay said it was operating about one-third of pre-pandemic passenger flight capacity by December and ended the year operating passenger flights to 58 destinations, double the 29 destinations the airline flew to in January 2022. It would operate at about 70% of its prepandemic passenger flight capacity by the end of 2023, with an aim to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024. It was operating about two-thirds of pre-pandemic cargo flight capacity levels by the end of 2022.

The Capital One Travel portal is an online travel platform that allows customers to book flights, hotels, and rental cars. Capital One credit cards that are eligible for the travel portalYou don't necessarily need a high-priced travel rewards credit card to use the Capital One Travel portal. Capital One miles value in the Capital One Travel portalCapital One miles are worth 1 cent each in the Capital One Travel Portal. How to book flights through the Capital One Travel portalYou can book flights with both domestic and international airlines through the Capital One travel portal. How to book hotels through the Capital One travel portalBooking hotels through Capital One Travel is similar to booking flights.

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☆ Cathay Pacific posts wider $834 million loss in 2022, remains upbeat on outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Cathay Pacific Airways is ready to rebuild the airline and Hong Kong's hub status as it emerges from the pandemic, the carrier's chief executive said on Wednesday after it reported a 2022 loss at the low end of forecasts. Cathay shares rose as much as 1.4% to 7.95 Hong Kong dollars after the results were released, reversing morning losses and beating a 2.4% drop in the broader market as investors bet on a turnaround following heavy losses during the pandemic. "We were very encouraged to see a bright light at the end of the tunnel in the second half of 2022, and the positive momentum has continued into 2023," Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam said in a statement. "After three brutal years of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have finally entered into a new exciting phase, in which we will rebuild Cathay Pacific for Hong Kong." The airline reported an annual loss of HK$6.55 billion ($834.4 million) for the 12 months ended Dec. 31, wider than the previous year's loss but near the bottom of its January forecast for a loss of between HK$6.4 billion and HK$7 billion.

Cathay shares rose as much as 1.4% to HK$7.95 after the results were released, reversing the morning's declines as investors bet on a turnaround following heavy losses during the pandemic. "After three brutal years of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have finally entered into a new exciting phase, in which we will rebuild Cathay Pacific for Hong Kong." [1/5] A Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus A350-900 airplane approaches to land at Changi International Airport in Singapore June 10, 2018. Cathay said it was operating about one-third of pre-pandemic passenger flight capacity by December and ended the year operating passenger flights to 58 destinations, double the 29 destinations the airline flew to in January 2022. It would operate at about 70% of its pre-pandemic passenger flight capacity by the end of 2023, with an aim to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024.

Review: Is the Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card the Best Credit Card for You? Alaska Airlines discountsWhen you pay with your Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card, you'll get a $100 discount off a full Alaska Lounge+ membership. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightAlaska Airlines Business Card Fees and CostsThe Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card has an annual fee of $70 per company and $25 per card, and doesn't have foreign transaction fees, so it's a useful card to take on trips abroad. If you're not quite in that range, there are plenty of great travel rewards credit cards that you may be eligible for with good credit score, including the personal Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card (you can read our review of the Alaska Airlines credit card for more information). If you're a small-business owner and fly Alaska Airlines frequently, the Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card is worth it.

☆ Hong Kong is giving out 500,000 free plane tickets. I tried to get one as a Singapore resident and ended up stuck in a waiting room behind 50,000 people.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Sponsored by Hong Kong's airport authority, the giveaway involves the distribution of 500,000 airline tickets via three of the city's carriers: Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, and Hong Kong Express. Residents in Singapore quickly snapped up all 12,500 free round-trip tickets Cathay Pacific was giving out on Thursday. Those interested need to apply for a free Cathay Pacific membership on its website and answer three quiz questions about Cathay Pacific correctly, according to SCMP. Budget carrier Hong Kong Express is slated to join the campaign later, but it hasn't released details. Hong Kong Airlines did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

☆ These 3 destinations in Europe and Asia will give you free hotel stays, flights, and cash to take your next vacation there
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Taiwan said it will pay international visitors $165 and Hong Kong is giving away 500,000 free flights. The governments of Sicily, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are pumping billions into the programs, which range from free flights, hotel stays, and excursions — to straight cash. Gary Yeowell/Getty ImagesSicily, a historic island in the South of Italy, first launched its "See Sicily" travel promotion two years ago and recently announced its revival for 2023. Hong KongThe central district of Hong Kong. Starting March 1, the tickets will be distributed by airlines Hong Kong Express, Cathay Pacific, and Hong Kong Airlines, Time Out reported.

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Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightThe VentureOne Rewards Card is a slimmed-down version of the popular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Review: Is the Capital One Venture One the Best Credit Card for You? Enter the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, a no-annual-fee version of the popular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Capital One may consider you for an upgrade from the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card to an annual-fee card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Unlike the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is not metal.

You can earn Marriott points from paid stays, co-branded credit cards, or flexible points transfers. How to earn Marriott pointsEarn points from Marriott Bonvoy hotel staysThere are plenty of different ways to earn Marriott points, but let's start with the simplest: earning points on hotel stays. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 6X Marriott Bonvoy Points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy4X Marriott Bonvoy Points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets2X Marriott Bonvoy Points on all other eligible purchases1,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points with each qualifying stayComplimentary Gold Elite statusA Free Night Award (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points) after making $15,000 in purchases per year.

However, Boiardi said an earlier proposal from the industry for totally single-pilot flying by 2030 was "absolutely not realistic", because automation had not advanced far enough and solo flying required a level of safety equivalent to existing operations. Solo flying, even in cruise, needs approval from the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization, individual airlines and their pilot unions. Even limited solo flying, however, is dividing airlines and raising public fears, while sparking a growing backlash among pilot groups like the European Cockpit Association. Airbus said in a statement it was studying the concept of a single pilot in the cruise phase but not wholly single-pilot flights. Consumer resistance, however, could result in single-pilot flying starting with cargo flights, industry officials said.

☆ Hong Kong is giving away 500,000 flights this year—here’s what to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

If you're looking for a fun trip and a free flight, it might be time to turn your eye to Hong Kong. On Thursday, the city's leader John Lee announced Hong Kong is giving away 500,000 plane tickets this year to encourage tourism. In 2020, the Airport Authority spent $2 billion to buy tickets from airlines, including HK Express, Cathay Pacific Airways, and Hong Kong Airlines. Hong Kong will also give away 80,000 flights to city residents this summer, and another to 80,000 residents of the Greater Bay Area in the U.S., Lam said. The city's "Hello Hong Kong" campaign will include events like the Rugby Sevens tournament and a city marathon.

Hong Kong's new global promotional campaign will "kickstart" the city's reopening to international travelers, the Hong Kong Tourism Board told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Friday. As part of the "Hello Hong Kong" campaign, which was launched on Thursday, 500,000 air tickets will be given away over the next six months, starting in March. The tickets will be given out through three Hong Kong's carriers — Cathay Pacific, HK Express and Hong Kong Airlines. "[But] you want to kickstart and … tell the world in a clear message that Hong Kong and then mainland — we have finally reopened." Some 80,000 tickets have also been reserved for Hong Kong residents which authorities aim to give out in the summer.

☆ Hong Kong is offering free flights to tourists across the globe, following years of COVID restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Aidan Pollard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong will offer 500,000 flights to tourists all over the world, the city announced Thursday. The tickets will be distributed by Hong Kong Express, Cathay Pacific, and Hong Kong Airlines starting March 1, according to TimeOut. Hong Kong followed China's zero-COVID policy through most of the pandemic, before loosening rules last year, Reuters reported. As part of the announcement Thursday, Lee said Hong Kong will begin to host sporting and other cultural events, while highlighting its culture, Reuters reported. "We have to let outsiders know that Hong Kong has a unique status, especially when the 'one country, two systems' principles will be implemented in Hong Kong for a long time," he said.

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