Cathay Pacific mulling stake in Hong Kong carriers
Cathay Pacific Airways is understood to be in talks for stakes in two rival Hong Kong-based carriers.
Bloomberg reports Cathay has held initial talks with owner HNA Group for stakes in Hong Kong Express Airways and Hong Kong Airlines.
HNA is still trying to offload assets due to heavy debt and has already sold off several aviation and hospitality businesses.
According to people familiar with the matter, the talks have been progressing slowly and it is far from a done deal.
The two airlines’ flight slots will be an attractive proposition for Cathay and strengthen its position at Hong Kong Airport.
All parties have remain tight-lipped but Hong Kong Airlines did reiterate it is ‘here to stay.’
"We have and will remain open to discussions with strong strategic investors."
The talks mark a turnaround for Cathay Pacific after a couple of bad years.
The business was restructured with 600 management jobs cut and a downsizing of its route network.
Fuel hedging mishaps and downward pressure on fares from intense competition by both mainland China and Gulf airlines saw Cathay go into the red for the first time a couple of years ago and has only recently rebounded.
A huge data breach of customers’ personal information last year also heavily impacted the company and sent shares plunging.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements