Cathay Deepens Community Ties on 80th Anniversary with Major Volunteering Drive

As it celebrates 80 years together with the city, Cathay has reaffirmed its commitment to Hong Kong by launching an expanded range of community programmes that aim to uplift 80,000 lives this year through initiatives focused on youth development, sports, as well as arts and culture.

With its deep roots in Hong Kong, the Group continues to invest in the community that has supported its growth. On 9th May, more than 100 Cathay volunteers took part in the 10th anniversary edition of Serve-a-thon, organised by HandsOn Hong Kong, with Cathay as its Lead Partner. This year, the signature city-wide service week, is extending from one week to two and features hundreds of service opportunities in collaboration with over 100 non-profit partners across the city.

Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau addressed participants at the opening ceremony, reaffirming the Group’s long-standing commitment to the community. “For 80 years, Cathay has grown alongside Hong Kong. The resilience, compassion and support of the people of Hong Kong have inspired us on our journey,” she said.

Lau emphasised that as a responsible corporate citizen, Cathay is not only serving Hong Kong but also giving back meaningfully. “This year, marking our 80th anniversary, we are launching wide-ranging community programmes with the goal of uplifting 80,000 lives. Being the Lead Partner of HandsOn Hong Kong allows us to mobilise our people to create real impact,” she added. She expressed hope that through continued collaboration, the company and the community can create more opportunities and strengthen social cohesion for the future.

Serve-a-thon encompasses a broad range of service opportunities, including meal preparation, elderly care, environmental conservation, and mentoring. Following the ceremony, Cathay volunteers headed to various locations in teams to engage directly with those in need, reflecting the hands-on ethos that defines the partnership with HandsOn Hong Kong.

Two Cathay volunteers, Natalie Hon and Ibe Au, shared what motivated them and their experiences, illustrating the personal and professional value of community service.

Natalie Hon, Associate Planning Engineer – Technical Records and Configurations in Cathay’s Engineering department, said the breadth of this year’s Serve-a-thon appealed to her. “Today’s activities can reach a wider group – teenagers, children, and even elderly residents. That diversity was a big draw for me,” she noted.

Hon has participated in multiple Cathay initiatives, including the Aviation Explorer Day, where young people visit the airline’s facilities, and the Discovery Flight, which gives children a chance to experience the joy of flying for the first time. “For them, every step of the journey is entirely new–from boarding the aircraft to receiving in-flight service to hearing the announcements. This is not something you can fully explain – they have to experience it,” she recalled. Watching children’s faces light up as the plane took off reinforced her belief in the transformative power of volunteering.

Ibe Au, Assistant Manager of Trade Sales in Cathay’s Sales and Distribution department, echoed the belief that volunteering complements her day-to-day work with people. “I enjoy activities with children and those in need, as well as outdoor environmental projects like beach clean-ups and tree planting,” she said. Au has also taken part in initiatives like Christmas gatherings for social enterprises and the Aviation Explorer Day.

Both volunteers highlighted the strong sense of connection that volunteering fosters across departments at Cathay. “At work, it is easy to stay within your own department, so volunteering provides a great opportunity to work alongside other colleagues around a shared purpose and support our community - using our free time to help those in need,” Hon explained. Au added that many colleagues who may appear reserved in the office often demonstrate remarkable passion and dedication during service activities. “Everyone gives wholeheartedly without counting the effort. There’s a real sense of unity and it’s incredibly moving,” she said.

The pair also spoke of the positive ripple effects on their personal lives and careers. Volunteering helps them maintain an optimistic outlook, which they then bring back to their teams and customers. “Helping others is truly joyful. It motivates me to take better care of myself so I can continue contributing,” Au remarked. Hon, who often plays a morale-boosting role in her team, finds that the positivity gained from community work helps sustain energy and team spirit even during demanding periods.

Cathay provides strong institutional support for such engagement. The airline promotes opportunities through its internal network, offers recognition for volunteers, and ensures a variety of activities suit different schedules and interests. Both Hon and Au noted that the company’s encouragement makes it straightforward for colleagues to participate.

Looking ahead, Cathay’s 80th anniversary volunteering drive signals a deepened resolve to contribute across youth, sports, and cultural domains. Beyond its partnership with HandsOn Hong Kong, Cathay will continue to roll out a series of initiatives throughout 2026 under its signature I Can Fly programme, centred on Education, Discovery and Exploration. These include three Aviation Explorer Day weekends held across the year, and the I Can Fly Youth Academy taking place in July and August.