The Cathay Pacific Group officially opened a new regional office in Beijing that features a dedicated area for Dragonair and sister airline Cathay Pacific.

Guests attending the opening ceremony included the Civil Aviation Administration of China Deputy Director General of Transport Department He Jin Ri, Deputy Director General of the Department of Exchange and Cooperation of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Huang Guang and Air China General Manager of Department of International Cooperation Lou Yong Feng. A number of Beijing's leading travel agents and cargo agents were also in attendance.

Officiating at the ceremony was Dragonair Chairman and Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler, who said: 'The new office benefits not only customers, who will experience greater efficiency and more convenient services, but also staff of the two carriers who will be provided with an enhanced working environment.'

Mr. Tyler said that Beijing is a market of immense importance to the Cathay Pacific Group and is a key destination for Dragonair. 'The new office not only provides services to the local market but also takes up a vital role in implementing our overall business strategy and marketing and sales functions across the Mainland. With huge potential for business development, Mainland China will continue to be a key focus for the future development of Dragonair and the Group,' he said.

At the same time, Mr. Tyler announced that Patrick Yeung has recently been appointed as General Manager, China to lead the Mainland China team with some 650 staff in the 19 ports to which the two airlines fly. 'I am sure Patrick will be a fine standard bearer and ambassador for our Group,' he said.

'Since Dragonair became part of the Cathay Pacific Group last year, a lot of work has been done to maximize the synergies between Cathay Pacific's extensive worldwide network and Dragonair's strong network in the Mainland, bringing more choice for passengers and improved connections between the two airlines.'

Mr. Tyler said the Cathay Pacific Group is proud to be able to contribute to the development of transportation, tourism and logistics in Mainland China and will continue to expand the networks of Dragonair and Cathay Pacific to provide greater flexibility for passengers when connecting between the two airlines.

Commenting on the news that Dragonair has just been voted 'Best Airline ' China' in the Skytrax survey for the sixth consecutive year, Mr. Tyler said: 'This is exciting news not only for Dragonair but also for the industry. It helps to further enhance Hong Kong's reputation as a leading international aviation hub and the major gateway to Mainland China.'

The new Dragonair office is located at 28/F, East Tower, Twin Towers, B-12 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

Dragonair is a Hong Kong-based airline operating a fleet of 31 passenger aircraft and six freighters serving 31 regional destinations, including 21 cities in Mainland China.