MAR-APR 2013 ISSUE 152

DRAGONJUN/JUL 2016 ISSUE 170

A magazine for staff and friends of Dragonair

Overcoming Operational ChallengesGround Time Optimisation Project rolled out to selected outports

Tee TimeKota Kinabalu District Sales Manager Jimmy Liew extols his love of golf – perfect for relaxing and networking!

Management MovementsNew senior-level appointments in Dragonair

Recognising the staff who make Dragonair and Cathay Pacific great airlines!

Work Well Done

Message from CEO01 Dragonews Issue 170

Message

CEOfrom

Performance Index

Produced by the People Communication Division. We welcome staff feedback and news for Dragonews. Email: kaccd.common@dragonair.com

The aviation business is undoubtedly facing challenging times as a result of global economic uncertainty and strong competition within the industry. At the Cathay Pacific Group, revenues are coming under greater pressure, and so we have introduced measures to curb spending, including a freeze on new hires and the curtailing of non-essential expenditure. However, despite the difficult operating environment, we must always keep our eye on the goal of providing our customers with the high quality of service they expect of us. I know the Group can rely on the Dragonair team to perform with professionalism and diligence, even in the most trying of situations.

Recently, we have run a number of events relating to the quality of service we provide. These include the Service Leadership Forums, which seek to enhance the skills of senior frontline staff through discussions and sharing sessions. Dragonair is for the

first time co-hosting the forums, which are this year based on the theme of improving our airlines’ on-time performance. A big hand to the team behind these forums – good job!

Another important initiative is the newly launched Work Well Done campaign. Every day, across our network, people are going above and beyond expectations, yet outside of their immediate colleagues the rest of us rarely get to hear about the great work they do. We have been running recognition events such as the Betsy Awards, which focus on frontline staff, but the beauty of Work Well Done is that staff from the back office can be applauded, too. I am enjoying reading the stories posted on the Recognition Wall relating to Dragonair – congratulations to all colleagues whose dedication and initiative have been lauded.

In other good news, the Cathay Dragon rebranding continues apace, with the first of the new livery aircraft in service

and the second, B-HSO, about to return to flying after re-painting. For Cathay Pacific, the arrival of its first A350 aircraft has caused a great deal of excitement – some Dragonair colleagues were lucky enough to be chosen to travel on the delivery flight from Toulouse, France, or to attend the VIP event in Hong Kong. What a wonderful way to celebrate the first new aircraft type for Cathay in 20 years!

As you may already know, I am taking a leave of absence from July. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your comradeship over the past two years, and I’m sure you will give James Tong, who takes over as acting CEO, the same support that I have enjoyed.

Algernon Yau

CEO

Traffic/capacity (KA + CX)May 2016 Vs May 2015

Passengers carried 2,862,680 -1.3%

Passenger load factor 84.0% -1.9pt

Available seat km (ASKs) (‘000) 12,118,716 0.5%

Freight carried (tonnes) 145,102 -1.3%

Cargo load factor 62.2% 0.1pt

Available tonne km (ATKs) (‘000) 2,491,252 -2.4%

On-time performance

70%MAR-16 APR-16 MAY-16

60%50%40%30%20%10%

65.0%70.8%

64.5%within 15 mins

34.2% 36.5%42.3%on-the-dot

The Ground Time Optimisation (GTO) Project is being rolled out to selected pilot ports, while Dragonair gets ready for a full cutover to the Precision Time Schedule

GTO Extended to OutportsPhase 2 of the Ground Time Optimisation (GTO) Project kicked off on 6 June at Taipei airport, extending the best practices adopted at HKIA to four pilot outports. Taipei was an obvious choice, given that it operates multiple fleet types from both Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, regularly handles flight diversions and has a high flight frequency. The other Dragonair outport involved is Shanghai Pudong, which will complete its GTO process review by the end of this year.

“Increasing the operational efficiency and on-time performance (OTP) of flights departing from outports will complement the gradually improving departure OTP from HKIA, benefiting our hub connectivity as well as the overall schedule integrity,” says General Manager Airports Vivian Lo.

“It also provides a unique opportunity to review the standard practice in our management of third-party suppliers such as caterers, baggage handlers and refuelling agents across the airlines’ networks.”

Information gathered will be consolidated into guidelines for all other outports to adopt and conduct their turnaround process study, set be completed by the end of 2017.

News 02

As part of Phase 1, the revised Precision Time Schedule (PTS) for the Dragonair A330 fleet was implemented at HKIA earlier this year. A complete cutover to the new PTS is expected by August when the Dragonair A320/1 fleet is implemented.

Recruitment and training for the newly established role of Turnaround Coordinator (TCO) is going well and all turnarounds will be managed by this dedicated team by the end of July.

“Ultimately, by improving schedule integrity and OTP, it adds value to our staff and passengers, enabling us to fulfil the promise of Life Well Travelled in every journey,” adds Liza Ng, General Manager HKIA.

In other developments, GTO initiatives were explained in detail at the Service Leadership Forum 2016 involving frontline service leaders from inflight, airports worldwide and the new TCOs. “This provided an excellent opportunity for clarifying queries from frontline teams, while collecting valuable feedback for continuous improvement of the processes,” says Liza.

The Taipei team, including Airport Services Manager Arthur Jih, is actively engaging in a GTO workshop.

The Airport team and Lean team are joined by the senior management at the wrap-up meeting, celebrating a successful roll-out of the OTP project in Taipei.

Cover Story03 Dragonews Issue 170

Work Well Done makes it easy for people to recognise colleagues’ extraordinary efforts

Examples from the Recognition Wall

Thumbs Up for Work Well Done!

Work Well Done has been up and running for a few weeks now and hundreds of Cathay Pacific and Dragonair staff have already taken the opportunity to praise the extraordinary efforts of colleagues on the Recognition Wall. To date, more than 1,000 recognition comments have been posted.

Director People Tom Owen explains the concept behind the campaign: “Every day, across the network, amazing stories are created by our people. Yet we don’t often get to hear about it. It’s time now to recognise all the people who make this airline great,” he says.

“Work Well Done makes it easy for staff to recognise the excellent work of their colleagues, by posting messages on the Recognition Wall that can be seen by everyone in both Dragonair and Cathay Pacific.”

Carly Nankin, Head of Internal Communications & Engagement, says she is pleased to see the response from Dragonair staff.

“There are already a good number of posts relating to Dragonair staff and teams on the wall, including stories from ISD and FOP,” she says.

Work Well Done was launched with a coffee event at Dragonair House on 12 May, with senior managers – including Finance Director Martin Murray, General Manager Inflight Services Brian Yuen, General Manager Aircrew & Ground Services Mike Kitney and Head of Cabin Crew Michelle Cheng – thanking staff while serving them with tasty goodies.

Cupcakes, coffee and smiles at KA house.

“This was well received and there were plenty of smiles around – people appreciated management taking the time to serve them coffee and cupcakes personally, just to say thank you,” says Carly.

“What makes this programme special is that it’s more than just handing out awards,” says Tom. “Our vision is to foster a thriving culture of recognition where everybody across the airlines, both frontline and back-office people, have a chance to recognise others, and to be recognised,” notes Tom.

“Now, every person, in every department, in every country, can celebrate the contributions of their colleagues in a new and interesting way.”

To Grace Mok:

Inflight Services (KA-ISD)

Hong Kong (HKG)

Grace is open and a fast learner, especially to learn the new computer

system. She is dedicated, reliable and always does her very best

to meet the set timeline. She draws data for daily and ad hoc analysis

efficiently that is essential for the team strategy management plan.

Appreciate your “CAN DO” working attitude, Grace. Well Done!

From your fan Sabrina Chum

3rd May 2016

To Cargo Team:

Cargo (CGO)Dhaka (DAC)

An awesome team to work with. Always innovating way forward in the most challenging work environment. I love your “Never Give Up” attitude. You are all — STARS.

From your fan Morshed Amin10th May 2016

Recognising your colleague take no more than two minutes – show the world how wonderful your colleagues are by writing your appreciation on the Recognition Wall at www.cathaypacific.com/workwelldone.

New Management AppointmentsManagerial changes at director level have been announced. Arnold Cheng has taken up the position of Director Corporate Affairs since 11 July; he was formerly General Manager Sales, PRD & Hong Kong. He takes over from James Tong, who has assumed the position of Acting Chief Executive Officer at Dragonair, while Algernon Yau is taking leave of absence. Anna Cheung will be the new General Manager Inflight Services, taking over from Brian Yuen in August.

A number of changes have been made for key managerial positions in Dragonair outports. Appointments include:

Port Name & Title

TYO Lionel Kwok, General Manager Japan; Samantha Ngai, Assistant to General Manager Japan

BJS Justin Yu, Passenger Sales Manager, China; Nicholas Fei, Assistant to General Manager China

CGO Stanley Lee, Manager – Zhengzhou

CKG Matthew Choi, Manager – Chongqing

HGH Mickey Yip, Manager – Hangzhou

SHA Kenneth Tsui, Manager Cargo China

XMN Preston Hung, Manager – Southern China

DAC Nick Bury, Country Manager Bangladesh & Bhutan

KTM Keri Lui, Country Manager Nepal

BKI Ashley Yang, Manager Sabah, Sarawak & Brunei

PNH Joshua Williams, Country Manager Cambodia

SEL James Conlin, Country Manager Korea

TPE Chen Luo, Assistant to General Manager Taiwan & Korea

News 04

Algernon Yau

James Tong

Arnold Cheng

Welcome Inflight Service Manager – New Title for Dragonair Chief PurserIn line with the rebranding of Dragonair as Cathay Dragon, Dragonair Chief Pursers (CP) will carry the new title of Inflight Service Manager (ISM). The new title reflects more accurately the high level of accountability and responsibility of our CPs when in charge of wide-body aircraft.

The exact date when the new title will come into use will be announced in due course, and is expected to align with the cutover to the new Cathay Dragon brand. Collaterals including business cards and name badges will be changed progressively, and updating of manuals and systems will also follow.

Head of Cabin Crew Michelle Cheng remarks that the Chief Purser title goes back to 1990 when Dragonair wet-leased a TriStar L-1011 from Cathay Pacific and flew on the Beijing and Shanghai routes.

“We believe the new title helps reflect the changing role of senior cabin crew in today’s aviation industry – our CPs do a truly great job, for which we thank them,” Michelle says, adding that the roles and responsibilities, uniform and details of Conditions of Service will remain unchanged.

To meet travellers’ desires for fresh culinary adventures, a collaboration has been forged with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts to provide a series of exciting Chinese and Western menus

News05 Dragonews Issue 170

High-flying Flavours

Dragonair passengers are in for a culinary treat with the news that the airline is for the first time collaborating with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. Six of the group’s regionally acclaimed restaurants from four hotels in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing are offering a range of Chinese and Western dishes including local flavours, international favourites and signature dishes.

The menus have been designed in collaboration with chefs at the respective restaurants, incorporating their individual styles and philosophies.

The new menus are being gradually rolled out from now until mid-2017, according to the season, on flights from Hong Kong to specific regional destinations as well as from Beijing and Shanghai to Hong Kong. An Italian menu from Grissini, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong and authentic Chinese fare from The Chinese Restaurant, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong launched the collaboration on 1 June.

Previously, Dragonair worked with Hugo’s at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong for two years. “Very positive comments were received from our passengers. Therefore we are pleased to now extend our association with The Chinese Restaurant and to continue the excellent dining experience for our passengers,” says Inflight Catering Manager Kim Chong.

G16 Lounge UpgradeNew look will align with Group’s brand design ethos

The G16 lounge at Hong Kong International Airport closed its doors in early July for renovation – and when it opens next year it will be larger, have a totally new look, and boast a suite of showers.

The lounge has been in operation for more than 10 years, so it was time for an upgrade in order to to align it with the Group’s brand design ethos and enable valued customers to enjoy a better experience before their flight. The existing 756 square metres of space will be enlarged to 811sqm and will feature the relaxed ambience of other newly refurbished lounges in the Dragonair and Cathay Pacific network. The design will be carried out by Studioilse, the London-based design studio led by Ilse Crawford. The inclusion of showers in the new design is sure to be well received by travellers.

Set to open in the second quarter of 2017, the new lounge will serve Dragonair and Cathay Pacific passengers, Marco Polo Club members and other eligible oneworld passengers. During the renovation, Dragonair passengers can use Cathay Pacific lounges at HKIA.

News 06

Staff offer insights on dining experience

In May, a total of 460 people completed a survey regarding the quality and value for money of the food offerings at the canteen in Dragonair House, as well as offering thoughts on the overall dining environment.

The People Department, which undertook the study, thanks everyone who took part for their valuable input. The exercise has provided the team with a wealth of information that will enable them to document staff’s needs.

Updates will follow as the initiative progresses.

Rebranding rolls onB-HSO was the first A320 in the Dragonair fleet – and now it’s become the second aircraft to receive the new Cathay Dragon livery. The repainting of the A320 was completed at the end of June, and the aircraft has undergone a cabin retrofit modification.

The repaint process went smoothly, and the aircraft will re-enter service in July. A total of seven more Dragonair aircraft are to be repainted at Xiamen between now and the end of the year, including three A320s and four A330s.

BKI Broadening Kids’ Horizons

A total of 20 underprivileged students from rural Sabah were welcomed by the BKI team at Kota Kinabalu International Airport for the I Can Fly educational visit in early May. For many it was their first visit to the airport, where they received an introduction to Dragonair and the aviation business, experienced a mock check-in at the Dragonair check-in counter, a customs and immigration check, and a short tour of the airport, including briefings at the boarding gate and airport lounge. It wasn’t all work: games and quizzes showcased the importance of teamwork and communication skills, followed by a catered inflight meal. The children, from San Damiano Hostel, Kiulu, performed a thank-you song to convey their gratitude for the visit, which helped to broaden their horizons.

Around the Network07 Dragonews Issue 170

DAC Food Fiestas

Everybody’s camera phones were clicking away as the Cathay Pacific/Dragonair team in Dhaka organised an in-house food festival in May. The summer food fiesta saw team members bring in an array of colourful seasonal fruits and foodstuffs. Food was also the focus of the festival held at the Westin Dhaka in April to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Monkey. The Great Taste of China featured three chefs from Chengdu and Beijing, with their tickets sponsored by Dragonair. Guests thoroughly enjoyed the exotic Sichuan and Cantonese cuisines.

CKG Bowling to Success

After a very competitive bowling match, the Chongqing team gathered for a well-deserved hotpot dinner. Cargo Services Officer Kent Duan, Airport Services Manager Sky Yu and Cargo Services Officer Johnson Li were named the winners.

Helping Hands

The Dhaka sales team was delighted to participate in the Dhaka Street Children’s Party organised by the Dhaka International Women’s Association at Nandan Water Park in March. Around 420 children from underprivileged backgrounds enjoyed an unforgettable day of fun. Dragonair sponsored stationery items in support of the kids’ educational needs. The team spent the whole day with the children, and a fun time was had by all.

What’s on

What are people posting on Yammer? Great shots of exciting places are always popular!

Around the Network 08

XIY Hot Destination

A media delegation from Hong Kong, led by CEO Algernon Yau, visited Xi’an in April, where they met local government officials and visited Xi’an International Trade & Logistics Park. The editors were impressed by the latest developments in the city and enjoyed seeing both the historic and modern aspects. Dragonair currently operates daily flights to Xi’an; from summer 2016, four flights a week will be upgraded to an A330 based on increasing demand for both cargo and passenger services.

Flight Purser Jon Rui Tsai was mesmerised by the beautiful coastal city of Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka and set on the Indian Ocean.

Safety Training Specialist 2 Paul Rimmer says this shot will “probably only be of interest to any Formula 1 petrol heads out there”. It was taken at the Shanghai Grand Prix.

Systems Analyst Raunak Kothari enthuses about Koh Samui: “The place to go for amazing sunsets, seascapes, superb food and great hospitality. Definitely going on my list of places to revisit!”

BLR Plenty to Recognise

It’s been a busy time at Bengaluru lately, most notably with BLR being named “Best Baggage Handling” and “Best OTP Airport” at the Airports conference held recently in Hong Kong. The Bengaluru Airport team attended a fruitful briefing on the Safety Management System from Captains Marc Holm and Jonathan Rebbeck in March. Elsewhere, the fantastic work of team members Shanmugapriya and Annie Caroline was recognised as they received “Debut Performer” mementos. Also recognised was the performance of Shafeeq, who grabbed the “Star of the Month” award.

Cathay News09 Dragonews Issue 170

More than 1,300 Cathay and Dragonair staff, including those from outports, were thrilled to enjoy a close-up encounter with Cathay’s first A350-900XWB at an event held at the HAECO hangars at Hong Kong International Airport on 15 June. Guests ignored the heat and humidity of the day to take plenty of photos – including the obligatory selfies, of course. They got the opportunity to learn about the technical features from A350 experts from Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Cathay. The cabin visit was extremely popular, with everyone eager to try the seats and IFE system, and check out the revolutionary head-up display in the flight deck.

Big thanks go to all the volunteers who helped make this event a great success, especially given the short time they had to organise things, while the aircraft took a quick break from revenue service!

B-LRA had arrived in Hong Kong two weeks earlier on 29 May. It had taken off from Toulouse, France, the day before, with an operating crew headed up by Captain Peter Lees

A group of staff winners visited the Airbus factory in Toulouse before taking home Cathay’s first A350 aircraft.

B-LRA is greeted by many enthusiastic colleagues at a special hangar event organised for staff.

Up Close & Personal

Staff from across the network, including Dragonair and outports, took part in competitions, with the opportunity to win a trip to Toulouse for the delivery flight, and to attend the VIP party at HKIA. Two of them talk here about their experiences.

Jacky Lam, Training Specialist – Admin & Project, was one of 15 lucky staff who won a place on the A350 delivery trip.

“Looking out of the window, I witnessed the new stylish wing for the first time as we departed Toulouse. It was such a touching moment when the aircraft landed at Hong Kong International Airport. What a once-in-a-lifetime experience this trip was, filled with lots of joy!

“My sincere thanks to all who helped make my journey a memorable one!”

and Inflight Service Manager Margot Lee. This was the culmination of a very busy few days for the delivery team of around 30, drawn from Engineering, Flight Operations, Information Technology and Inflight Services.

Engineering Director Christopher Gibbs was among those on board the flight to Hong Kong, and praised the dedication and commitment of all those engaged in the project. Also enjoying flight CPA3350 were winners of a staff competition, who visited the Airbus factory, toured the historic city centre, and attended the pre-delivery dinner before getting on the delivery flight. B-LRA was welcomed into HKIA by Chief Operating Officer Rupert Hogg and other senior management.

B-LRA entered service on 1 June, operating CX907 to Manila, where it was received enthusiastically by outport staff. This new extra-wide-bodied aircraft, with its “green” credentials, its already famous wingtips and spacious interior, certainly seems to be capturing everyone’s attention and imagination.

Carlton So, Cabin Crew Training Specialist, was among the winners to join the A350 VIP event in the HAECO hangars.

“As an aircraft lover, having a new aircraft type joining the Cathay fleet is exciting news. I am so grateful to have had the chance to participate in this VIP event.

“The aircraft looks gorgeous, and I like the winglets the most. I am sure the Wi-Fi service available inflight will be a great travel experience for passengers, enabling Life Well Travelled!”

A New Star in the SkyThere is nothing quite like the delivery of a new aircraft type to build a buzz around an airline – and Cathay Pacific’s newest addition to its aircraft fleet seems to be causing more excitement than usual.

Cathay News 10

Welcome, Madrid!

Lounge Updates

Cathay Pacific celebrated the commencement of flights to Madrid on 2 June. Any new route takes a lot of planning, but when it is the first time for a new country to become part of the network there is additional pressure on the planning process – as was the case here.

For Madrid, the team began to take shape in May 2015. Everything was done from scratch, starting with the recruitment of 17 team members, and the assessment of potential suppliers, including ground handling agents, lounge services, cargo services and catering could begin.

Since Madrid airport is particularly large, the operations team has had to take into account the long distance between check-in desks and boarding gates, by closing flights 20 minutes earlier than other airports.

Once all team members were in place, four weeks of intensive training was delivered online, in the classroom and on-the-job by the Airports team, with an emphasis on Service Straight from the Heart, operational procedures and customer engagement.

The Cathay Pacific brand is relatively less well known among Spanish consumers, so the Sales & Marketing team needed to get the word out that Cathay Pacific is the best option to Hong Kong and Mainland China.

In advance of the launch, adverts were placed on websites, magazines, buses and at the airport. The sales team has been focusing on premium business contracts while also forging relationships with travel agents.

Work continues apace on the upgrade of Cathay Pacific lounges, with the Business Class Lounge of The Pier at HKIA and the lounge at Vancouver recently reopening their doors, while anticipation is building for the unveiling of the new London space. The new lounge look reflects the Cathay Pacific brand experience, spiced up with local touches, and is geared to providing travellers with a warm, relaxing and enjoyable environment.

The Business Class Lounge at The Pier is undoubtedly the airline’s flagship lounge, and has undergone an extensive redesign. With more than 3,000sqm of space, it is the largest

in the network, and can accommodate up to 500 travellers. The new concept has a distinct Hong Kong identity, including works by local artists. The signature Noodle Bar is sure to be one of the main attractions, while a new feature is The Teahouse, a quiet space offering a selection of specialist teas and even a resident tea master. The new lounge opened in late June.

The revamped First and Business Class lounge in Vancouver reopened in early May. It offers a stunning view of the Vancouver coastal mountains and features artwork that reflects the culture of British Columbia. Located in the International Terminal, the lounge has room for 108 people; food

and drink options include the famous Noodle Bar and The Pantry.

The new look for the London lounge will be revealed in August. It is being designed by Studioilse, the UK design house behind the other revamps, including Manila, Bangkok and Haneda.

Up Close & Personal

Staff from across the network, including Dragonair and outports, took part in competitions, with the opportunity to win a trip to Toulouse for the delivery flight, and to attend the VIP party at HKIA. Two of them talk here about their experiences.

11 KA People Dragonews Issue 170

Dragonair Shuttlers Star in TaipeiSeveral Dragonair players were among the joint Dragonair/Cathay Pacific Catering Services (KA/CPCS-HKG) badminton team invited to play in a friendly competition in Taipei in mid-April. Kevin Ng, Philip Li and Elene Cheng from OPS, and KW Wong and Liza Tang from ISD were part of the team.

The event was hosted by China Pacific Catering Services Ltd (CPCS-TPE), and consisted of men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, with nine matches played under a 31-point scoring system. Both teams put in a great effort, with the CPCS-TPE team finally edging a win by 5-4.

The Dragonair team wishes to extend its wholehearted thanks to CPCS-TPE for organising this enjoyable event. They also invite Dragonair staffers interested in playing badminton to be a part of this great team!

STAFF Movements

PROMOTION From First Officer to CaptainRobert Macdonald From Junior First Officer to First OfficerJordan Chan

FLIGHT PURSER PROMOTION PFP 01_16

FLIGHT PURSER PROMOTION PFP 02_16

Paddling to GloryWith about 60 people participating in the Dragonair/Cathay Pacific dragon boat teams this year, the airlines were able to field teams races in five locations across Hong Kong.

Our teams picked up a number of trophies, including mixed bowl

champions at the Lamma 500 International races, the Deep Water Bay Regatta and Tsuen Wan races, along with second runner-up in the mixed section of the Sai Kung event and first runner-up in the dry-land dragon boat challenge at the Hong

Kong International Dragon Boat Races.

“Despite frequent bad weather disrupting training this season, the team performance was good,” says Team Organiser Chin Pang-wu. “We’ve had many new joiners this year, and they are having a lot of fun

participating in this sport and are keen to learn and improve.

We hope the team will continue to grow

and get more good results.”

Stylish City on the Sea Know Your Airline!The Hyatt Regency Qingdao is located on the city’s famous beach, as well as being close by the new business, commercial and entertainment district, too. Along with the beach, Qingdao is also acclaimed for its temperate climate, parks, sculptures and unique German architecture.

The hotel blends modern and traditional Chinese decor, and offers a choice of five stylish restaurants and bars serving a range of different cuisines, and all with ocean views. Leisure facilities include a state-of-the-art fitness centre, indoor heated pool, and spa. The

Regency Club rooms allow access to the Regency Club Lounge on the 21st floor with a spectacular sea view from the rooftop terraces.

2. What is the registration of the second Dragonair aircraft to be repainted with the new Cathay Dragon livery?

3. What will be the new size of the revamped G16 Lounge at HKIA?

4. Who is the new General Manager Inflight Services?

What did the senior management offer staff in recognition of their hard work at a recent Work Well Done campaign?1.

Email kaccd.common@dragonair.com with the correct answers before 8 August 2016 and you get the chance to win this wonderful prize! All answers can be found in this issue of Dragonews. Open to staff with Dragonair email accounts only.

Congratulations to

Chief Purser Sandra Chiu,

winner of the quiz in the last

issue of Dragonews!

KA People 12

View from the GreenJimmy Liew feels blessed to live in a golfing paradise – but enjoys visiting other courses in the Dragonair network in Southeast Asia, and has his eye on a trip to Kunming.

Like many at Dragonair, Jimmy Liew, District Sales Manager – BKI, enjoys a game of golf. Kota Kinabalu is described by Trip Advisor as a “golfer’s paradise”, and Jimmy certainly feels lucky to be able to play regularly in this beautiful part of the world that’s blessed with good courses.

Jimmy caught the golf bug in 2000. “I have been quite active in sports since my school days, such as badminton – which I’m still playing today. Golf is getting popular among people working at Kota Kinabalu airport, and a few of my colleagues, including some cargo agents, decided to take it up, and I joined them.”

He enjoys golf for a number of reasons; he believes it is healthy not just for the body but for the mind, too. “You are always playing against yourself; every shot in every game is different and the ball lands somewhere different each time you hit it, hence some shots can be very tricky. No two games are exactly the same,” he says. “It is definitely a fantastic getaway after five days of office work, with the whole golf course being like a huge playground. And it certainly is a great way to meet people from different industries and

walks of life. It helps me promote Dragonair and Cathay Pacific, too – especially when my playing partners talk about upcoming trips or travel.”

Although he mostly plays in Sabah and the neighbouring Malaysian state of Sarawak, where he reckons he’s played most of the major courses, Jimmy has also visited courses in Penang, Ipoh, Melaka and Kuala Lumpur. Outside of Malaysia, he’s played at clubs in Thailand and Singapore a few times.

“One of my best memories is playing in a pro-am tournament with one of Malaysia’s top golfers, Danny Chia,” says Jimmy. “As far as my biggest achievement in golfing so far, I believe it would be when I played a few inter-club tournaments, representing my home club – The Sabah Golf and Country Club. The club is Sabah’s oldest 18-hole golf course, opened in 1976; this challenging par 72, 6,335-metre championship course was designed by Robert Muir Graves and is acknowledged as one of Southeast Asia’s toughest courses.”

On the list of places Jimmy would like to visit as a golfer is Kunming. “It has some of the best golf courses in China

and offers spectacular scenery,” he notes. “One of the golf courses there which I’d like to try is Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club, in the bottom of a valley that offers amazing mountain views from every angle.”

Does Jimmy have any advice for aspiring golfers? “Be patient – Rome was not built in a day,” he laughs, adding that he’s happy to meet up with fellow Dragonair golfers when they visit Kota Kinabalu.

The quiz winner

will enjoy the prize

of a two-night stay

in a Regency King

or twin room with

breakfast for two at

the Hyatt Regency

Qingdao. Valid until

31 October 2016.