JW95
As much as I admire your enthusiasm and we seem to agree on many topics but I have to admit that I am not as pessimistic as you are regarding the return of Virgin Atlantic to London Gatwick
I honestly can't see it happening.
I'm also not as pessimistic as you regarding the subsequent return of Cathay Pacific to London Gatwick.
Hong Kong as a destination both for business and leisure has diminished a lot over the last few years and not all of it due to the pandemic.
Cathay Pacific obviously wanted to return to pre-pandemic levels at London Heathrow with five daily flights. But that doesn't necessarily mean that the airline will return anytime soon to London Gatwick. I'm sure that Cathay Pacific could or would obtain additional slots at London Heathrow if they really wanted to add an additional daily flight.
Cathay Pacific resumed flying between Hong Kong and London Gatwick on 02 September 2016 after a 25-year absence. It was, as you say, a slim long haul route that was operating with some success.
But a lot has changed between London and Hong Kong in recent years, and I'm certain that the current five daily flights offered by Cathay Pacific from London Heathrow are sufficient enough for the airline.
With British Airways reducing capacity between London Heathrow and Hong Kong, this gives you an idea of how the demand for the route has declined. Especially compared to several years ago, and that's disregarding the pandemic.
I know that the Cathay Pacific A350 looked lovely at the South Terminal, and I'm sure that you have the memories, but they remain as such. Memories are always there, plus images, of course.
Regarding memories, I still vividly remember the day that I was on the observation deck at London Gatwick on Friday, the 18th of July 1980. On that day Boeing 747-200 VR-HIA operating CX201, the inaugural flight from Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport via Bahrain landed at London Gatwick.
On a side note, it's a shame to see the recent decline in traffic between London and Hong Kong.
Hong Kong as the destination is without doubt in my top three favourite worldwide cities.
Edit....the use of pessimistic should, of course, be meant to have been optimistic, silly error on my behalf.
Last edited by Sotonsean; 18th Nov 2023 at 19:59.