Cathay Pacific CEO backs rail-air integration for HK

Cathay Pacific's chief executive, Ronald Lam, has advocated for integrating high-speed rail and air travel to boost Hong Kong's long-term growth. In an interview on RTHK's "On Broadcast Drive" program, Lam emphasized that the two sectors are not mutually exclusive, instead stating that high-speed rail and air travel can complement each other.

Lam pointed out that high-speed rail can compete with aviation to some extent, but it also has the potential to enhance it. He envisaged scenarios where mainland passengers use the high-speed rail to reach Hong Kong and then connect to an international flight, or where international travelers fly into Hong Kong and then take the high-speed rail to various destinations in mainland China.

Lam believes this air-rail intermodal transport concept has significant potential, indicating that it should be the direction of travel in the future. Regarding Cathay Pacific's future expansion, Lam revealed that the airline is targeting to expand its network from 100 to 150 destinations over the next decade, with a focus on new markets in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, and South America.

He acknowledged that some of these new routes might not become profitable in the first few years, but he viewed them as valuable long-term investments for the business and Hong Kong.