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On This Day | Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific turns 80 – SCMP archive

As Cathay Pacific celebrates 80 years in the skies, we look at how SCMP covered the company’s growth and milestones As Cathay Pacific celebrates 80 years in the skies, we look at how SCMP covered the company’s growth and milestones

Eighty years ago, former World War II pilots

Eighty years ago, former World War II pilots Roy Farrell and Sydney de Kantzow registered Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong.

Operations began with a single, converted Douglas DC-3

Operations began with a single, converted Douglas DC-3 nicknamed “Betsy” which initially flew much-needed goods between Australia and post-war Shanghai.

Today, the airline operates a fleet of 180

Today, the airline operates a fleet of 180 aircraft and, together with its budget arm HK Express, transported 37 million passengers in 2025. In this On This Day article, we chart the company’s history through SCMP’s archive photos and coverage.

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On This Day | Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific turns 80 – SCMP archive

As Cathay Pacific celebrates 80 years in the skies, we look at how SCMP covered the company’s growth and milestones As Cathay Pacific celebrates 80 years in the skies, we look at how SCMP covered the…

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Source: South China Morning Post
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