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HONG KONG’S FLAGSHIP airline is to begin direct flights to and from China, marking the first time Ireland will have a direct flight to the Asia-Pacific region.
Cathay Pacific will begin the Dublin-Hong Kong route from next June and will operate the service four times per week.
The airline’s website has the route available next June from €642 for a return flight.
The flights will be into Hong Kong International Airport and will provide Irish travellers with more options for connecting travel within Asia.
It will also provide a direct option for the estimated 4,000 Irish people who live in the former British colony.
Dublin Airport’s managing director Vincent Harrison described the new route as “historic” and said today that it will also be a financial boost to Ireland given Hong Kong’s position as a regional business hub.
“Dublin Airport is competing for routes like this with other major European airports, so winning this new business is hugely positive news for Ireland, for foreign direct investment, for Irish exporters and for inbound tourism,” he said.
Harrison also said the new route has come about following negotiations involving the Irish Embassy in China as well as State bodies IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.
Trade between Ireland and China is estimated to be €8 billion per year with approximately 100 Irish firms having operations there.
Tourism Ireland has also welcomed the announcement of the new route.
Separately, Dalton Philips has been named as the new CEO of DAA, the company which operates both Dublin and Cork airports.
Philips is a former chief executive of Brown Thomas and has further experience in the high-volume retail market having held senior executive positions in Loblaws in Canada, Morrisons in the UK and Walmart in the US.
Philips has been appointed for a seven-year term and will take over from Kevin Toland, who has held the role since 2012.
DAA’s chairman Pádraig Ó Ríordáin said this afternoon that Philips is joining the company at a particularly important point.
“His leadership will be critical to DAA as we address the challenges of Brexit and the delivery of the north runway at Dublin Airport, while maintaining growth of our airports and the international businesses,” he said.
Shocker beauty pageant contestant wants world peace!
She’s a supporter of Falun Gong. Tens of thousands of Falun Gong supporters have been killed since the nineties. Many have even had their organs taken for transplant, some have even been required to become living organ donors. The whole situation is appalling. Anyone who can publicise this or embarrass the Chinese government into stopping this oppression deserves some respect.
If Miss World Pageant means what they say, they should move the event to another country which is not China and publicly condemn China’s attitude. This is their golden chance to put their money where their mouth is and prove that Miss World is not about the stereotype of some brainless bimbo saying that she wants world peace.
Women have far to much to say nowadays
Very chauvinistic statement about the weaker sex Jiminy.
We should definitely start lecturing China on human. They need to become as peaceful stable as Europe
In fairness though, picking on a member of the Falun Gong movement is like picking on a Hari Krishna. As far a spiritual practices go it’s fairly harmless. The Chinese government dislike it purely because it offers “enlightenment” through oneself and not as part of a , government controlled, collective. They’re OK with religions that have a centralized power as it’s easy to influence a small few leaders and let their influence trickle down. The more complex the belief system the better. It’s almost impossible to influence individuals practicing very simple beliefs.
Ms World candidate? I hope she has a great personality
She should say me so sowwy.
Fail.
W.O.C Oh you such a eejit, ohh you fail, you fail big time.
People still say fail? Ha gay.
Ha people still say gay? FAIL
I’m confused, why does she need a visa in the first place if she’s from China?
She moved to Canada when she was 13. If she acquired Canadian citizenship then according to Chinese government rules, she automatically forfeits her Chinese citizenship.
It’s not automatic. If you are entitled to another citizenship you can choose when you turn 18. Like a lot of Asian countries, China doesn’t allow dual citizenship.
Organisers don’t have the balls to pull out of China. Disgraceful that they will consider it even with this kind of intimidation going on.
Hen piaoliang de guniang.
Vive le Canada
Hai xing :/
She can stay with me if she can’t get back in
have your say