**********************************************************
Following is the speech delivered by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, at the Cathay Pacific Airways "Light up the Sky" event held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre this evening (December 7):
Tony (Tyler), Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to join you to celebrate Cathay Pacific's product and service expertise today.
Aviation is a fast-moving industry in every sense. Cathay Pacific's constant development of its products and services has helped to enhance the airline's competitiveness for more than six decades.
Today, Cathay Pacific serves 138 destinations around the world and has a well-earned reputation for efficiency, comfort and great amenities.
The new products and services being unveiled today will help to keep the airline ahead of the competition.
We are proud to have Cathay Pacific as Hong Kong's home airline. The company has been a close partner with the Government in strengthening our cityˇ¦s status as a regional and international aviation centre.
Our aviation network covers more than 150 destinations, including some 40 Mainland cities. We have also seen a clear rebound in the aviation market following the financial crisis.
During the first 10 months of this year, passenger numbers hit a record high of 42.4 million ˇV an 11 per cent increase compared to last year.
In the same period, air cargo increased 27 per cent year-on-year to 3.4 million tonnes.
Well done to everyone including all of you here from the industry and all of you who fly a lot. I understand there is a very large contingent of diamond card members here and I admire your stamina for flying that much. Thank you for your hard work.
And despite market ups and downs, Cathay Pacific maintained its sponsorship of various sports and cultural development. This helped to keep Hong Kong on the tourist map and make this city a much more interesting and fun place to be .
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Cathay Pacific for your support during times of emergency. The dedication and professionalism of management and staff in responding to the tourist hostage crisis in Manila was a credit to you all. Your response was deeply appreciated and felt by the affected families and by the community as a whole.
Ladies and gentlemen, it only remains for me to congratulate Cathay Pacific on the unveiling of its new products and services and to wish the airline clear skies ahead.
I wish all of you a great party, which I have a feeling it is going to be - a fantastic house party. Thank you very much.
Ends/Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Issued at HKT 20:52
NNNN
Windows Media format
Real Media format