At the Future Travel Experience (FTE) APAC Pioneer Awards held in Singapore on 11 November, Cathay Pacific and Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) were among 10 winners lauded for “outstanding achievement” in aviation innovation. The judges praised Cathay for launching ‘Cathay Technologies,’ investing in conversational AI and rolling out complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, while AAHK was recognised for deploying the world’s first end-to-end private 5G network to power over 50 smart-airport applications.
Cathay’s digital push is tightly linked to business-traveller service. Cloud-based operations allow faster re-booking during disruptions, and biometric boarding trials are cutting average gate processing times by 40 %. The airline’s new Shenzhen Digital & IT Campus will serve as an R&D hub for group carriers, including HK Express and cargo arm Cathay Cargo.
![Cathay Pacific and Airport Authority Hong Kong honoured at FTE APAC Pioneer Awards 2025]()
AAHK’s private 5G network underpins autonomous vehicles, IoT-driven predictive maintenance and real-time baggage tracking across the three-runway system. For corporate mobility managers, the upgrade promises smoother connections and fewer mis-routed bags—key factors when scheduling tight regional itineraries.
The twin awards reinforce Hong Kong’s branding as Asia’s “super-connector” just as the city seeks to regain pre-pandemic passenger volumes. With the Three-Runway System set for full commissioning later this year, HKIA is targeting 120 million passengers annually by 2035. Recognition on an international stage bolsters that ambition, signalling that technology investments are yielding visible results.
Cathay’s digital push is tightly linked to business-traveller service. Cloud-based operations allow faster re-booking during disruptions, and biometric boarding trials are cutting average gate processing times by 40 %. The airline’s new Shenzhen Digital & IT Campus will serve as an R&D hub for group carriers, including HK Express and cargo arm Cathay Cargo.
AAHK’s private 5G network underpins autonomous vehicles, IoT-driven predictive maintenance and real-time baggage tracking across the three-runway system. For corporate mobility managers, the upgrade promises smoother connections and fewer mis-routed bags—key factors when scheduling tight regional itineraries.
The twin awards reinforce Hong Kong’s branding as Asia’s “super-connector” just as the city seeks to regain pre-pandemic passenger volumes. With the Three-Runway System set for full commissioning later this year, HKIA is targeting 120 million passengers annually by 2035. Recognition on an international stage bolsters that ambition, signalling that technology investments are yielding visible results.
