Cathay Adds Flights From U.S., London on Strong Easter Demand

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. is reinstating some flights from U.S. cities and London and using bigger aircraft to cater to strong demand for travel to Hong Kong.

“As the home carrier of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific understands that many Hong Kong students and citizens in North America and London are eager to come home as soon as possible and in time for the Easter break,” the company said in a statement Sunday.

Cathay has slashed capacity by about 40% globally because demand has slumped during the coronavirus outbreak, which the airline last week said will drive it to a substantial loss in the first half of this year. Anti-government protests in Hong Kong have also weighed heavily on its business.

Reinstated flights include CX845 from New York on March 19, CX811 from Boston on March 20 and CX254 from London on March 19, as well as CX250 on March 20 and 21. Cathay said it will use an aircraft with more seats on a March 21 flight from Seattle and a bigger plane for several flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco.