History of Cathay Pacific in Timeline

Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, headquartered at Hong Kong International Airport. It operates passenger and cargo services to over 190 destinations in more than 60 countries, including through codeshares and joint ventures. As a major airline based in Hong Kong, it is a significant player in the global aviation industry.

1945: First aircraft purchase

In 1945, Roy Farrell purchased the airline's first aircraft, a Douglas DC-3, nicknamed Betsy, at Bush Field, New York City.

May 1946: Company relocated

On May 11, 1946, the company relocated, flying its two planes to Hong Kong.

August 1946: Sister company incorporation

On August 28, 1946, The Roy Farrell Export Import Company (Hong Kong) Limited was incorporated.

September 1946: Cathay Pacific was founded

Cathay Pacific was founded in September 1946 by Sydney H. de Kantzow and Roy C. Farrell.

September 1946: Cathay Pacific Airways Limited incorporation

On September 24, 1946, Farrell and de Kantzow re-registered their business in Hong Kong as Cathay Pacific Airways Limited.

1947: Fleet Expansion

By 1947, Cathay Pacific had expanded its fleet with five additional DC-3s and two Vickers Catalina seaplanes.

1948: New legal person of Cathay Pacific Airways was incorporated

In 1948, a new legal person of Cathay Pacific Airways was incorporated with John Swire & Sons (now known as Swire Group), China Navigation Company, and Australian National Airways as the new shareholders of the new entity, acquiring the assets from the old legal person; the old legal person, was renamed into Cathay Pacific Holdings, as well as retaining 10% shares of the new Cathay Pacific Airways. Farrell sold his minority stake.

January 1950: Freight services begin

On January 28, 1950, the company began freight services from Sydney to Shanghai.

1950: HAECO established

In 1950, HAECO, an aeroplane repair service company, was established.

1951: de Kantzow leaves Cathay Pacific

In 1951, de Kantzow remained in the airline until then.

July 1, 1959: Acquisition of Hong Kong Airways

On July 1, 1959, Cathay Pacific acquired Hong Kong Airways.

1959: Acquisition of Hong Kong Airways

In 1959, Cathay Pacific acquired Hong Kong Airways, becoming the dominant airline in Hong Kong.

1962: Double digit growth

Between 1962 and 1967, Cathay Pacific recorded double digit growth on average every year.

1964: One millionth passenger and first jet engine aircraft

In 1964, Cathay Pacific carried its one millionth passenger and acquired its first jet engine aircraft, the Convair 880.

1967: All jet airline

In 1967, Cathay Pacific became an all jet airline with the replacement of its last Lockheed L-188 Electra with a Convair 880.

1971: First Boeing 707-320B received

In 1971, Cathay Pacific Airways received the first Boeing aircraft 707-320B.

1972: Five Boeing 707s in fleet

By 1972, Cathay Pacific had five Boeing 707s.

1974: Potential DC-10 purchase

In 1974, Cathay Pacific considered purchasing the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 for a new flight route.

July 1976: Boeing 707 freighter service

In July 1976, Cathay Pacific began operating a Boeing 707 freighter from Hong Kong to Seoul, Bangkok, and Singapore.

1979: First Boeing 747 acquired

In 1979, Cathay Pacific acquired its first Boeing 747 and applied for traffic rights to fly to London in 1980.

1980: First flight to London

In 1980, Cathay Pacific applied for traffic rights to fly to London, with the first flight taking place on July 16.

1982: Introduction of Cathay Pacific Cargo

In 1982, Cathay Pacific Airways introduced Cathay Pacific Cargo (now Cathay Cargo), providing cargo service to initiate the trend of Hong Kong becoming one of the largest re-export trading ports of the world.

1983: Vancouver service kept

In 1983, Cathay Pacific kept its service to Vancouver.

May 1986: Airline goes public

On May 15, 1986, Cathay Pacific went public and was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.

1986: Service to San Francisco and route growth

In 1986, Cathay Pacific added service to San Francisco, as an industry-wide boom encouraged route growth to many European and North American centers including London, Brisbane, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Rome, Paris, Zurich and Manchester.

January 1990: Shareholding in Dragonair

In January 1990, Cathay Pacific and Swire Pacific acquired a significant shareholding in Dragonair.

1994: Stake in Air Hong Kong and passenger service upgrade

In 1994, Cathay Pacific acquired a 75% stake in cargo airline Air Hong Kong and launched a program to upgrade its passenger service, including updating its image.

1996: Shareholding changes

In 1996, CITIC Pacific increased its holdings in Cathay Pacific from 10% to 25%, while other Chinese companies also bought substantial holdings, reducing the Swire Group holding to 44%.

1997: Registration numbers and flags updated

In 1997, Cathay Pacific updated the registration numbers and flags on its fleet in conjunction with the handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China.

May 1998: First delivery of the Boeing 777-300

On May 21, 1998, Cathay Pacific took the first delivery of the Boeing 777-300 at a ceremony in Everett.

July 1998: Last flight from Kai Tak and first flight from Chek Lap Kok

On July 5, 1998, Cathay Pacific operated its last flight from Kai Tak International Airport. The next day, Cathay Pacific began flights from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport to the new Hong Kong-Chek Lap Kok International Airport. This flight was also the world's first nonstop transpolar flight from New York to Hong Kong.

September 1998: Co-founded Oneworld airline alliance

On September 21, 1998, Cathay Pacific co-founded Oneworld airline alliance with American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, and Qantas.

October 1998: Temporary takeover of Philippine Airlines operations

From September 26 to October 7, 1998, Cathay Pacific temporarily took over the domestic and international operations of Philippine Airlines during its two-week shutdown.

2000: Record profit

Cathay Pacific recorded a record HK$5 billion profit in 2000.

2000: Labour relations issues and Dragonair acquisition

The year 2000 saw Cathay Pacific experience labour relations issues while completing the acquisition of Dragonair.

July 2001: Firing of 49 pilots

On July 9, 2001, Cathay Pacific fired 49 of its 1,500 pilots, following a review of their employment histories. This group became known as "the 49ers".

2001: Pilot Reapplication

Cathay Pacific offered the 49 pilots it terminated in 2001 the chance to reapply for pilot positions with its cargo division.

2001: "Work to rule" campaign

In 2001, the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association (HKAOA) launched a "work to rule" campaign to push for pay improvements and changes to roster scheduling practices.

November 2009: Court success for the 49ers

On 11 November 2009, 18 of the 49ers succeeded in the Hong Kong Court of First Instance concerning their joint claims for breach of contract, breach of the Employment Ordinance, and defamation.

2010: Passenger and cargo transport

In 2010, Cathay Pacific and Cathay Cargo, along with Cathay Dragon, transported nearly 27 million passengers and over 1.8 million tons of cargo and mail.

2014: Logo Updated

Cathay Pacific's logo was updated in 2014.

2016: 70th anniversary

In 2016, the airline celebrated its 70th anniversary since its founding in 1946.

December 2017: Swire Group ownership

As of December 31, 2017, Swire Group owned 45% of Cathay Pacific Airways through its subsidiary Swire Pacific Limited, making it the largest shareholder.