Cathay Pacific reopens first-class passenger lounge at Chek Lap Kok

Cathay Pacific Airways has reopened its first-class passenger lounge at Hong Kong Airport, despite weakening demand for premium-class travel.

Passengers yesterday got their first look at the Wing first-class lounge, next to customs, immigration and quarantine at Terminal One, after a head-to-toe revamp which lasted 12 months.

The new lounge is more than a third bigger than the old one, with room for 167 passengers, up from 123. It is the first time the lounge has been renovated since it opened in 1998. The old lounge had faced criticism for being worn out and too crowded.

Toby Smith, Cathay Pacific's general manager product, said yesterday: "As the network and business of Cathay is growing, the demand on the business/first class lounges will also increase. It is an ongoing process to invest in our product to meet the needs of our valued passengers."

In September, Cathay will open its sixth lounge at the airport. The new business lounge will be located near to gate 33, at the end of the main spine. Cathay already has five lounges at the airport, covering a total of 10,000 square metres.

Business and first-class passenger demand is still under pressure as investment banks and other financial institutes cut back their travel budgets in light of the softening economy in Europe. Cathay said in December that the overall performance in its premium cabins was weaker than expected, although the demand at the economy end held up during the holiday travel season.