Cathay Pacific launches new seasonal services
Cathay Pacific is giving customers more reasons to jet to Japan this winter with the addition of two extra seasonal routes - a new service to Niigata and the return of flights to Tokushima.
Travellers looking to hit the slopes can look forward to a new twice-weekly service to Niigata starting October 30, opening up an exciting new region of Japan famed for its snowy winters. The route will be operated by Cathay Dragon on Wednesdays and Saturdays, subject to regulatory approval, using a two-class Airbus A330 aircraft, connecting Niigata with Bahrain via Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, the popular seasonal service to Tokushima on Shikoku Island, launched last winter, will be returning on November 9, subject to government approval. Two weekly Cathay Dragon flights, also operating on Wednesdays and Saturdays, will run throughout the winter season using a two-class A320.
Cathay Pacific regional general manager- SAMEA, Mark Sutch, said: “Japan is fast becoming a popular destination for travellers from the Middle East and the addition of these seasonal direct flights from our home in Hong Kong provides additional travel options for those flying from Bahrain. Our customers now have more ways to discover exciting new experiences across this beautiful and culturally rich country.
“Opening up new routes to destinations forms a key part of our growth strategy and further boosts Hong Kong’s status as the leading international aviation hub in Asia.”
Tickets are now on sale on the Cathay Pacific website. Open-jaw tickets are also available, giving customers the option to fly to Niigata or Tokushima and return to Hong Kong from another gateway in Japan, or vice versa.
The addition of these two winter services will cap off an exciting year of expansion in Japan for the Cathay Pacific Group. Earlier this year, Cathay Pacific launched a new scheduled summer seasonal service to Komatsu, opening up Ishikawa Prefecture’s rich natural landscapes and cultural attractions to travellers. The Komatsu service is scheduled to operate until October 26.
Snow White Niigata
Located on the western coast of Japan’s main Honshu island, Niigata Prefecture is known for the impressive snowfall that covers its inland mountains during the winter months, leading to it being dubbed yukiguni, “snow country”. Travellers looking to hit the slopes will find a plethora of alpine areas available to them, with Yuzawa in particular home to 12 ski resorts.
Meanwhile, snow festivals such as February’s “Tokamachi Yuki Matsui” offer a more leisurely way to experience the snowy getaway. Beyond the mountains, Niigata has plenty to offer fans of Japanese cuisine with rice, sake and seafood - all local specialties. Niigata prefecture is one of Japan’s main producers of rice and the central Uonuma region has become renowned for its koshihikari rice crop. Meanwhile, fresh nanban shrimp and grilled blackthroat seaperch are popular seafood delicacies.
Taking in Tokushima
Blessed with a beautiful coastline and scenic mountain ranges that stretch right across the island, Shikoku has made a name for itself among lovers of the great outdoors. Culturally minded visitors find delight in the many Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines that dot the region, while the island is also synonymous with fabulous cuisine including Tokushima ramen noodles and grilled Awa odori chicken.
Cathay Pacific operates two daily flights from Dubai and one daily service between Dubai and Bahrain, with onward connections to more than 200 destinations through its own dedicated terminal at Hong Kong International Airport. - TradeArabia News Service