The long-established airline Cathay Pacific has announced a new strategic partnership that symbolically returns the company to its original location. The former site of the legendary Kai Tak International Airport, once home to the airline, is now used as the location for the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP). Cathay Pacific has now been named the exclusive "Founding Travel Partner" of this new sports and events center. The partnership underlines the company's connection to its home city of Hong Kong and its ambitions to set new standards as a global brand for travel and lifestyle.
Kai Tak International Airport was the heart of Hong Kong's air traffic for nearly 75 years before it was closed in 1998 and replaced by the new Hong Kong International Airport (Chek Lap Kok). With its spectacular location among the high-rises of Kowloon, Kai Tak was famous for its challenging approaches and bustling activity. Cathay Pacific had its headquarters there and operated its global air traffic from this airport.
Today, the Kai Tak Sports Park is being built on the historic site, a 28-hectare, state-of-the-art centre for sports, culture and entertainment. With a capacity of up to 50.000 seats, the new stadium will be the largest venue of its kind in Hong Kong. The partnership with Cathay Pacific will not only position the stadium internationally, but will also build a bridge between the site's traditional past and the city's modern development.
Integration of Cathay Pacific into the new complex
As part of the cooperation, Cathay Pacific is planning a series of initiatives to make the airline's history and influence in Hong Kong visible. A central component of this is the "Cathay-branded West Bridge", a specially designed bridge that connects the stadium with the Sung Wong Toi MTR station. There, an immersive experience will be created that commemorates the history of Cathay Pacific and Kai Tak Airport. Another highlight is the "World Flyer" project, an interactive exhibition about Hong Kong's aviation history.
Cathay Pacific will also sponsor numerous sporting and cultural events at Kai Tak Sports Park. The renowned rugby event "Hong Kong Sevens" will be held for the first time in the new stadium in March 2025 and will operate under the name "Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens". The tournament is considered one of the most prestigious rugby events in the world and attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year.
Strategic importance of the partnership
Lavinia Lau, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer of Cathay Pacific, emphasised the emotional significance of the partnership: "The old Kai Tak Airport was our home for many decades. This new collaboration symbolises not only our roots, but also our transformation from a pure airline to a leading premium travel brand." The airline sees the cooperation as an opportunity to further strengthen Hong Kong as a global hub for sport, culture and tourism.
John Sharkey, CEO of Kai Tak Sports Park, expressed his delight at the partnership: "Kai Tak was once where Hong Kong met the world and the world came to Hong Kong. This collaboration will revitalize that legacy by bringing world-class events to the city and providing an international platform for Cathay Pacific as our exclusive travel partner."
A step into the future with a view to the past
The partnership between Cathay Pacific and Kai Tak Sports Park marks a milestone in the airline's history. While Hong Kong continues to evolve, its connection to its own history remains intact. Returning to the symbolic site of its beginnings is likely to be a significant event not only for nostalgic travellers, but also for a new generation of travellers who are shaping the future of aviation and international tourism.
With Cathay Pacific's involvement in the new mega sports complex, Hong Kong will not only be strengthened as an economic hub of Asia, but also further developed as a host venue for major global events. This collaboration ensures that Kai Tak's legacy endures into the modern world and Cathay Pacific continues to play a key role in the global travel industry.