Cathay Pacific expands social enterprise partnerships to create jobs for communities

Cathay Pacific is strengthening its commitment to social inclusion through expanded partnerships with non-profit organizations that provide employment opportunities for women and people with disabilities in its aviation operations.

The airline’s Cathay Dining subsidiary has partnered with Sunny Social Enterprise to operate an in-flight catering utensil packaging plant in Tung Chung, creating jobs specifically for women from the local community. Meanwhile, another Cathay Pacific subsidiary Vogue Laundry has teamed up with the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council to enable its members to process flight bedding at the Providence Garden for the Rehab facility in Tuen Mun.

Andy Wong Man-kit, Cathay general manager corporate affairs, Cathay Dining director, said at a event held at Cathay Pacific City on Wednesday that the partnership with Sunny Social Enterprise dates back to 2009. He added that with the three-runway system now operational and the number of flights increasing, the group added new machinery to its social enterprise last year, hoping to provide more employment opportunities in response to demand.

The Tung Chung packaging facility currently employs 70 workers and produces an average of 60,000 tableware sets daily. During peak travel seasons, including Chinese New Year and Christmas, production capacity can surge to between 70,000 and 80,000 sets per day.

As for the airline’s bedding processing operations, Vogue Laundry pursues what it describes as “win-win cooperation” between business objectives and community benefit and actively seeking partnerships with non-profit organizations beyond traditional hiring practices.