Cathay to axe Cairns after 25 years
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: CX Diamond, United MileagePlus Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 90
Cathay to axe Cairns after 25 years
#2
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
"The Cairns cancellations will, however, mean that all Cathay Pacific departures from Brisbane will run as non-stop flights, rather than some overnight journeys from Hong Kong making an early call into Cairns as the sun is coming up, so that passengers can enjoy a bit more uninterrupted sleep before reaching Brisbane."
Given my usual destination is Sydney, this is good news actually
Given my usual destination is Sydney, this is good news actually
#3
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 145
so... there'll be all of two destinations left in the "Medium" distance zone:
https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_...ub-points.html
https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_...ub-points.html
#6
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 6,437
#8
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Marco Polo Club, KF
Posts: 208
Something seems not quite right about this and I'm wondering if it is part of the broader strategy in play with QF or at least a re-think of how CX serves the ex-CNS freight market. The reason I say this is I understand belly freight, and in particular seafood/live seafood has been a key driver for CX operating this route over the years. So even if passenger yields were low (not sure about this) the route made eminent sense. So possibly CX is looking at a better freight solution (QF?) than the 330 can offer in parallel with rationalising the network. In relation to pax, I'm not sure if the rationale is to: (i) make way for KA or UO; (ii) free up valuable bilateral slots for other Aus routes; or (iii) drive traffic via BNE supported by new QF code share arrangements etc.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: MNL
Programs: CX MPO DM, Le Club Accor Platinum, World of Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 2,284
Something seems not quite right about this and I'm wondering if it is part of the broader strategy in play with QF or at least a re-think of how CX serves the ex-CNS freight market. The reason I say this is I understand belly freight, and in particular seafood/live seafood has been a key driver for CX operating this route over the years. So even if passenger yields were low (not sure about this) the route made eminent sense. So possibly CX is looking at a better freight solution (QF?) than the 330 can offer in parallel with rationalising the network. In relation to pax, I'm not sure if the rationale is to: (i) make way for KA or UO; (ii) free up valuable bilateral slots for other Aus routes; or (iii) drive traffic via BNE supported by new QF code share arrangements etc.
#10
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Something seems not quite right about this and I'm wondering if it is part of the broader strategy in play with QF or at least a re-think of how CX serves the ex-CNS freight market. The reason I say this is I understand belly freight, and in particular seafood/live seafood has been a key driver for CX operating this route over the years. So even if passenger yields were low (not sure about this) the route made eminent sense. So possibly CX is looking at a better freight solution (QF?) than the 330 can offer in parallel with rationalising the network. In relation to pax, I'm not sure if the rationale is to: (i) make way for KA or UO; (ii) free up valuable bilateral slots for other Aus routes; or (iii) drive traffic via BNE supported by new QF code share arrangements etc.
I'm sorry to see any decrease in the CX network. But my sense says there isn't some secret game here to suddenly launch with KA, or UO, or this is good news in disguise. I think it just means what is most obvious....yield didn't justify it. Bummer.
I also think this lends credibility to the folks thinking CX will dump some A330 frames to KA. CX mainline will have to have some type of capacity reduction if they're really going to ditch a bunch of planes off to KA, as I've seen some folks speculating. You can't just get rid of planes and expect the mainline network to stay the same.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: MEL/YMML
Programs: A3 Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Amex Platinum
Posts: 287
There's not enough J pax to keep this flight running. I'd say the J load was 55% on my flight. (Jan 2019)
This could also (hopefully temporary) fuel the award seat crisis further, where CX HKG-Australia J awards were constantly out of stock.
This could also (hopefully temporary) fuel the award seat crisis further, where CX HKG-Australia J awards were constantly out of stock.
#14
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Cathay Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 691
This is a long shot but possibly CX having ditched Cairns will instead add HBA. The reasoning is that Hobart is an airport that has recently had a runway extension and renovation of the international terminal with both the state and federal governments desperately wanting to attract an Asian based airline to Tasmania. There is a significant high value perishable freight (fruit - seafood-meat- high end dairy etc) and this plays well to Cathays sophisticated freight handling and route network in Asia. There is strong tourist potential and probably government incentives. Currently there is zero international traffic through the renovated international terminal with all passengers and freight going via Qantas via the mainland.