Did you know Cathay Pacific’s name was coined at The Manila Hotel?

The celebration brought together Cathay Pacific executives, guests, trade partners, corporate clients, and members of its Philippine community. The event was led by Cathay Pacific Philippines country manager Vishnu Rajendran, with Aldric Chau, regional general manager for Southeast Asia and Oceania, and Lavinia Lau, chief customer and commercial officer, joining the celebration.

A special historical marker was also unveiled during the event, commemorating the storied connection between Cathay Pacific and The Manila Hotel.

The Manila connection dates back to the airline’s earliest days. According to Cathay Pacific’s history, co-founder Roy Farrell was at The Manila Hotel’s Tropicana Bar in 1946 when he discussed possible names for the new airline with foreign journalists. The name “Cathay Pacific Airways” reportedly emerged from that conversation. “Cathay” referred to China, while “Pacific” reflected the founders’ ambition to eventually operate flights across the Pacific Ocean.

Cathay Pacific’s Lavinia Lau and The Manila Hotel’s Jose D. Lina with the historical marker unveiled during the event. (Photo: Rey Ilagan/Manila Bulletin)

Cathay Pacific was established on Sept. 24, 1946, by Farrell and fellow former wartime pilot Sydney de Kantzow. The airline’s first flight took place shortly after its establishment, flying from Sydney to Hong Kong aboard a Douglas DC-3 aircraft nicknamed Betty.

Manila was among Cathay Pacific’s earliest international destinations. The airline began commercial flights to the Philippine capital in December 1946, making it one of the carrier’s longest-standing regional destinations outside Hong Kong and Sydney.

Its Philippine operations expanded over the decades, with Cathay Pacific beginning daily service to Manila in 1962 and expanding to Cebu in 1992, when it launched four-times-weekly Hong Kong-Cebu service together with Philippine Airlines.

For Aldric, celebrating the milestone in Manila was a fitting tribute to the airline’s long relationship with the country.

“I couldn’t think of a better place than Manila to celebrate this very special milestone. The Philippines has long been a very important market for Cathay,” he said.

“I had the privilege of leading the business here in the country for the past three years. And one thing has consistently impressed me, and that is the strong connection between Cathay and the Filipino community,” he said.

“Whether through our customers, trade partners, stakeholders, or corporate clients, there is a genuine sense of partnership that has contributed to our success. Maraming salamat po for the trust and support you’ve given over the years,” Vishnu added.

The anniversary also comes as Cathay Pacific continues its post-pandemic recovery. Lavinia said the airline returned to 100 percent of its pre-Covid operating rhythm in 2025 and has recorded three consecutive years of profitability. She added that 2026 is shaping up to be the company’s fourth consecutive profitable year.

“To us, the Philippines is not just a place where we operate, but a trusted partner that has witnessed our innovations and our journey to becoming one of the world’s leading airline brands,” Lavinia concluded.

— Rey Ilagan