Cathay Pacific marked another milestone in its ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and community engagement with the successful staging of Discovery Flight 2025, an event that took 180 first-time flyers on an unforgettable journey across Hong Kong. The initiative forms part of the airline’s broader I Can Fly programme, designed to inspire the next generation of aviation enthusiasts through education, discovery, and exploration.
The special 90-minute flight took place aboard Cathay’s newly retrofitted Boeing B777-300ER aircraft. Participants included students from the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme and members of the Kwun Tong Methodist Social Service. For many attendees, the experience marked their very first time onboard an aircraft, making the flight a deeply meaningful and memorable event.
The Discovery Flight was hosted by Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau and graced by Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong SAR Government Eric Chan Kwok-ki, who served as Guest of Honour. The event symbolized the collaborative efforts between Cathay and the government to nurture the potential of young people while promoting aviation as a key industry for Hong Kong’s future.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan commended Cathay for its consistent support of the Strive and Rise programme, noting that the airline has conducted over 40 aviation-themed activities across three cohorts. These initiatives have benefited more than 3,600 students and mentors, offering immersive experiences such as visits to Cathay City, Cathay Dining, and the Cathay Cargo Terminal. He highlighted the Discovery Flight as a major highlight of the I Can Fly programme, emphasizing its role in expanding participants’ knowledge and perspectives.
Chan also underscored the government’s commitment to uniting cross-sector partnerships to strengthen youth development initiatives while maintaining Hong Kong’s position as a leading international aviation hub.
Cathay’s Lavinia Lau expressed pride in the airline’s efforts to inspire the younger generation, emphasizing that aviation is not just about connecting destinations but also about creating opportunities for growth and empowerment. She extended her appreciation to the Hong Kong SAR Government and the more than 100 Cathay volunteers, ground staff, and flight crew who made the event possible.
The Discovery Flight 2025 represents the “Discovery” pillar of Cathay’s enhanced I Can Fly programme. Alongside initiatives such as the I Can Fly Youth Academy and Aviation Explorer Days, the programme provides young participants with immersive experiences designed to build confidence, curiosity, and leadership skills.
Since its launch in 2003, the I Can Fly programme has engaged thousands of students across Hong Kong, complementing Cathay’s other youth and talent development initiatives. These include the Cadet Pilot Training Programme, training partnerships with the Vocational Training Council, summer internships, graduate trainee programmes, and the annual Cathay Hackathon, whose final pitch will take place at Cathay City on 16 November 2025.
Through programmes like Discovery Flight 2025, Cathay continues to inspire Hong Kong’s youth to look to the skies — proving that with passion and perseverance, the possibilities are limitless.