Sad end - but happy memories of Dragon will last, say fans

Fans turned nostalgic for Cathay Dragon as the airline they knew whose meals and service were superior to Cathay Pacific was consigned to history after 35 years.

Dragonair was launched in 1985 by Hong Kong investors, including the family of textile businessman Chao Kuang-piu, shipping magnate Pao Yue-kong, tycoon Henry Fok Ying-tung and other Chinese-funded companies such as China Resources.

With only a single plane when it started, the airline became the first local competitor of Cathay Pacific.

Citic Pacific, Swire Pacific and Cathay Pacific acquired an 89 percent stake in Dragonair in 1990.

With Cathay Pacific focusing on international routes, Dragonair became known as the go-to local airline for mainland destinations.

After six years, Cathay and Swire sold part of their shares to China National Aviation Corp, allowing the civil aviation unit of the central government to acquire a controlling interest in Dragonair in 1996. It competed with Cathay over some international routes.

Dragonair operated the last flight to land at the old Kai Tak Airport before its closure in 1998 as the new Hong Kong International Airport opened at Chek Lap Kok.

In 2006, Cathay Pacific regained its controlling stake in Dragonair and made it a wholly owned subsidiary.

It was renamed Cathay Dragon in 2016, with its trademark dragon logo replaced by Cathay's signature stroke, but in red.

Cathay Dragon expanded to operating over 40 routes including to mainland cities, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

It survived the SARS outbreak in 2003, but the Covid-19 pandemic killed the struggling dragon.

Hongkongers took to social media to share their memories of the airline, some of them posting pictures of the souvenirs they got from Dragonair. Some praised the in-flight meals, saying they were better than those on Cathay Pacific flights.

Web user Justin said: "Dragonair's service quality and the in-flight meal is better than those on Cathay Pacific flights. I can still remember the taste of its coconut ice cream dessert.

"Unfortunately, everything can only be memories from now on."

Another commenter, Chen, said: "Only frequent flyers to the mainland can understand this. We feel at peace whenever flying on Dragonair to the mainland."

Some also posted pictures of playing cards and a watch with the airline's logo.

Eric Yee posted Dragonair model planes that he collected, writing: "What a pity that these products will no longer be produced anymore. Out of curiosity, I wonder how much these [his collection] will cost. But I am not going to sell any of them."

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com