15 May 2025
#3 May 2025: China Aviation Industry Newsletter
Cathay Pacific Unveils Renovated ‘The Bridge’ Lounge at HKIA as Part of Global Lounge Overhaul
Cathay Pacific has reopened its renovated ‘The Bridge’ lounge at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), marking the first phase of its global lounge enhancement programme. This renovation comes ahead of the closure of The Wing, First lounge on 23 May, which will undergo a complete redesign, with reopening scheduled for 2026. In the interim, The Deck—Cathay’s Business class lounge—will temporarily serve First class passengers, while The Pier lounges will remain fully operational.
This move is part of Cathay Group’s HK$100 billion investment plan, which includes new aircraft, upgraded cabins, revamped lounges, and enhanced digital capabilities. The lounge upgrade programme will extend beyond Hong Kong, with new flagship lounges planned for Beijing and New York, strengthening Cathay’s premium positioning in key international hubs.
China Southern Airlines to Resume Seasonal Perth–Guangzhou Flights from November 2025
China Southern Airlines has confirmed the return of its Perth–Guangzhou service from 30 November 2025, operating three weekly flights using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The flights will continue through to March 2026, offering a crucial seasonal connection between Western Australia and southern China.
Perth Airport’s Chief Commercial and Aviation Officer Kate Holsgrove welcomed the development and highlighted ongoing efforts with the Western Australian Government to explore opportunities for increasing frequencies and potentially extending operations year-round. China currently ranks as Western Australia’s fourth-largest source of international visitors, contributing AU$302 million to the state’s economy in 2024.
The reinstatement of this route signifies renewed confidence in China–Australia travel demand, particularly in tourism and trade.
Hunnu Air Launches First Scheduled E195-E2 Flights Connecting Mongolia and China
Hunnu Air, Mongolia’s leading carrier, has launched its first scheduled flight using the Embraer E195-E2, connecting Ulaanbaatar and Beijing Daxing International Airport. The inaugural flight also marks the E2’s debut in mainland China.
A joint launch ceremony was hosted by Hunnu Air, Embraer, and Beijing Daxing Airport, celebrating the milestone as a significant leap in regional air connectivity.
Munkhjargal Purevjal, CEO of Hunnu Air, stated:
“The launch of this route with our new E195-E2 aircraft reflects Hunnu Air’s determination to expand our international network and symbolises the deepening friendship and collaboration between Mongolia and China in this new era. The E195-E2 serves as the perfect upgrade to meet growing domestic and international travel demands.”
This route strengthens economic and cultural ties between Mongolia and China, while also positioning Hunnu Air to become a key regional player using next-generation narrowbody aircraft.
Acumen’s Take
On Cathay Pacific’s Lounge Strategy
Cathay Pacific’s lounge overhaul is a bold investment in premium customer experience, reinforcing its ambition to reclaim global leadership in business and first-class travel. The phased renovations and expansion into New York and Beijing signal Cathay’s recognition that airport touchpoints are critical to brand equity, especially in a post-COVID era where hospitality-driven loyalty matters more than ever.
On China Southern’s Perth Route Resumption
This seasonal restart reflects strong pent-up demand for outbound and inbound China–Australia travel, especially among students, tourists, and diaspora communities. With Western Australia eager to tap into China’s tourism and trade channels, this route offers China Southern a springboard for future year-round operations, particularly if economic tailwinds remain supportive.
On Hunnu Air’s Launch of the E195-E2 into Beijing
Hunnu Air’s deployment of the E195-E2 signals a significant upgrade in fleet efficiency, capacity, and environmental performance. The launch into Beijing Daxing, a major international hub, shows the carrier’s intent to expand its presence in the Chinese market while cementing Embraer’s foothold in Northeast Asia. Acumen sees this as a smart alignment of fleet strategy, diplomatic ties, and market potential.
Acumen Aviation © 16 May 2025 All Rights Reserved.
