A double anniversary for Cathay Pacific, which is marking 40 years since its first flight between Rome and Hong Kong, as well as its 80th anniversary.
Celebrating at Rome's Fiumicino Airport
Yesterday Rome Fiumicino Airport hosted a special event, organized in collaboration with Aeroporti di Roma, to celebrate the two anniversaries. Hong Kong’s national carrier brought one of its long-haul Airbus A350s to the tarmac at Rome Fiumicino Airport, sporting the commemorative ‘lettuce leaf sandwich’ livery, created to pay tribute to its history.
Vintage livery, 80th logo
The aircraft, featuring the iconic green and white design reinterpreted in a contemporary style and embellished with the 80th anniversary logo – an ideal bridge between tradition and innovation – departed for Hong Kong after welcoming representatives of the Roman specialist press attending the event on board to view the cabin layouts.
Flights from Rome and Milan Malpensa
“Celebrating these two milestones in Italy is a source of great pride for us,” said Adrien Ng, Cathay Pacific’s Area Head for Southern Europe. “The Italian market continues to be strategic, as demonstrated by the recent increase in frequencies from Rome." The direct Rome–Hong Kong route operates from 30 March to 24 October with four weekly flights (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday) operated by the Airbus A350-900, whilst from Milan Malpensa the airline offers daily flights, with the gradual introduction of the new Aria Suite Business Class.
The cabin crew wore vintage uniforms
Federico Scriboni, Aviation Business Development Director at Aeroporti di Roma, emphasized how the expansion of the Asian airline’s services reinforces Fiumicino’s role as a key hub for intercontinental connections to Asia, whilst confirming the strength of traffic between the capital and Hong Kong. Adding to the charm of the celebration was the presence of cabin crew in vintage uniforms from different eras in Cathay Pacific’s history: a tribute to the brand’s heritage and to the people who have shaped its identity over the years.
