Founder of regional airline Cathay Dragon sad over closure but proud of creating Hong Kong icon

Chao Kuang-piu, aged 101, recalls ‘remarkable’ growth of company with just one plane in 1985 into a serious contender to Cathay Pacific, which took it over

The carrier played a key role in Hong Kong’s transformation into an international aviation hub and its integration with mainland China, he says

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Chao Kuang-piu stands beside a Dragonair plane in this undated image. Photo: Handout

Published: 10:35pm, 29 Oct 2020Updated: 1:59am, 30 Oct 2020

The founder of regional airline Cathay Dragon has expressed sorrow over its abrupt closure by its struggling parent company but also spoke of pride in creating a Hong Kong brand.

Chao Kuang-piu, aged 101, recounted the “remarkable” journey of the carrier, from its humble origins 35 years ago with just one plane, to forging its reputation with a Cantonese-speaking crew and hot meals for passengers, through the rough and tumble of the city’s handover in 1997.

Cathay Pacific closed the airline last week as part of a restructuring aimed at slimming down operations to better survive the collapse of air travel due to the coronavirus pandemic. It axed 5,300 Hong Kong jobs. Dragon staff bore the brunt of the cuts with 2,000 cabin crew and 550 pilots laid off.

A Dragonair plane flies over Taikoo Shing in Hong Kong in 1988. Photo: SCMP

“[I] hope Cathay Dragon’s entrepreneurial spirit will continue to encourage Hongkongers to overcome tough times during the pandemic and forge a way forward,” Chao said on Thursday.

With the closure of Dragon, residents lost a local icon and success story that began in May 1985 when textile magnate Chao came together with other investors, including shipping tycoon Pao Yue-kong, to launch what was first known as Dragonair.