Cathay Pacific celebrates success of Community Flight 2015
- Written by George Sensalis
The 2015 edition of Cathay Pacific Community Flight made 200 residents from 60 less-advantaged families enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime trip over Hong Kong.
This year, people who are intellectually disabled and visually impaired where among the participants . Cathay Pacific's aim was to give all these families who have never flown together before a memorable experience.
The Honourable C Y Leung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, was Guest of Honour for the Community Flight, joined by Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Ivan Chu.
Speaking at the pre-flight ceremony, Mr Chu said: “Harmony and inclusion are Hong Kong’s core values and social solidarity begins at home. In that spirit, ‘Enhancing Family Solidarity’ becomes our theme this year. Today’s flight – and other related activities – is designed to encourage families to show their mutual care.”
The community flight took off from Hong Kong International Airport on February 1st and saw the aircraft circle over the South China 
Sea for approximately 90 minutes. During the flight, families were able to try out the seat features and enjoy the inflight entertainment, as well as tucking into inflight meals.
Joining the flight first time are some visually impaired participants who were feeling the Braille stickers on the community flight passport and experiencing the journey together.
Eight-year-old ToTo is a first-time flyer. After landing, he said, “The thought of getting on a plane with my mother made me so excited I could not sleep last night! I am so happy talking to the pilot - when I grow up I want to become one and fly with my mother around the world!”
The flight was made possible through the support extended by various government departments and other organisations, including the Transport and Housing Bureau, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, the Immigration Department, Airport Authority Hong Kong, and Aviation Security Company Limited. This is the fifth time Cathay Pacific has operated a community flight.
