By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2011 Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (jGLi) – A Filipino family holding a grand reunion in the Philippines was among those who took the inaugural direct flight from Chicago, Illinois, to Hong Kong on Thursday (Sept. 1) from O’Hare International Airport.

Sergio A. Sevilla and his wife, Cora, of Schaumburg, Illinois, were joined by their two daughters, Maryjune Gomez and Marsh Bolda, when they took the first flight of the Cathay Pacific past 3:00 p.m. from O’Hare that will take them to Hong Kong. From Hong Kong, they will catch a Cathay connecting flight to Manila.

“It was a bargain (US$,1,136) round trip ticket price each for Manila-Chicago that’s why we did not have second thoughts about taking Cathay Pacific.” Maryjune and Marsh told this reporter.

The cheap (bargain) price was music to the ear of Scott Mowrer, Senior Vice President, Americas of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited based in San Francisco, California, who told this reporter that “it is not the word we use, but we are happy to hear that they are on board. But they will get the value for their money for the service that we give them.”

Mowrer said Cathay Pacific will fly the Chicago-Hong Kong route seven days a week. Its plane Boeing 777 has 300 passengers on board. “For this inaugural flight, there will be 294 passengers. ‘Not bad for an inaugural flight,’” he said.

He added what makes Cathay different from other international flight serving Asia “is our brand of service, which has first, business and economy classes.”

Mowrer said while Cathay has no plans to have a direct Manila-Chicago flight for now, “we have a very nice connection from Hong Kong to Manila and Cebu. And in our in-flight crew, we almost always have Filipinos.” Indeed, one of the inaugural crew that flew from O’Hare to Hong Kong has a Filipina in-flight attendant, Ms. Marou Parado, who told this reporter that she will be having another flight assignment when she gets to Hong Kong.

A news release distributed by Gus Whitcomb of Cathay’s San Francisco office during the inaugural ceremonies said “777-300ER aircraft manufactured by Chicago hometown company, Boeing, features six First Class suites, 53 Business Class seats that convert to fully flat beds and seating for 238 Economy Class passengers with personal entertainment systems. Load factors of more than 95 percent are expected in both directions on the first day’s flights.”

Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino joined Mr. Mowrer to welcome the airline’s inaugural flight to Chicago O’Hare with a celebration at International Terminal 5, Gate M11. The event included a ceremonial lion dance, and a water cannon salute by the Chicago Fire Department. 

“Chicago’s unmatched transportation links are central to our status as a world-class city,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “This service will not only provide Chicago and Hong Kong with additional air travel connections, but will generate millions of dollars in economic growth and create new jobs for Chicagoans."

T he daily, nonstop service will operate from International Terminal 5 at O’Hare on a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. 

“We are pleased to welcome daily, nonstop service between Chicago and Hong Kong by Cathay Pacific Airways,” said Commissioner Andolino. “We believe passengers traveling from Hong Kong will find that O’Hare International Airport offers an outstanding level of connectivity to destinations all across the U.S.”

“It’s great to be bringing Cathay Pacific’s award-winning passenger service to Chicago,” said Mowrer “While this is our first passenger flight to the city, we know the way back to Hong Kong better than any other airline. Once there, there’s a whole lot of world we can fly you to, including mainland China, where Chicago has so many established and growing ties.”

“Cathay’s focus on sustainability – such as the airline’s new fuel-efficient fleet, and energy and water conservation programs – is a great fit with Chicago’s sustainability initiatives and commitment to the environment,” Andolino added.

In addition to Cathay’s new service to Hong Kong, O’Hare International Terminal 5 passengers can experience that city through photos taken by National Geographic photographer, Catherine Karnow, courtesy of National Geographic and Cathay Pacific. Travelers will be able to view 40 of Karnow’s photos on display between Gates M12 to M19 through early 2012.

Chicago is Cathay Pacific’s sixth North American city with passenger service to Hong Kong.  The other cities served by Cathay include Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Vancouver and Toronto.

The addition of Cathay Pacific passenger service is estimated to bring nearly $200 million in economic activity to the Chicago region, according to Eve Rodriguez, Director of Public Affairs of Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA).

Cathay Pacific also operates cargo service from O’Hare International Airport. Chicago is one of Cathay’s 11 North American cargo destinations. Currently, there are eight direct cargo flights a week on B747-4F aircraft.  Each cargo freighter landing at O’Hare International Airport represents approximately $3-million in business to the local economy.

As the number three busiest airport in the nation, O’Hare has 50 passenger carriers, including Cathay Pacific, according to Gregg Cunningham, CDA’s media relations coordinator. # # #

Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at: (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)