Cathay Pacific Airways chief executive Ronald Lam says high-speed rail and air travel are not a zero-sum game and that the two sectors should support each other to drive Hong Kong's long-term growth.

Speaking on RTHK's "On Broadcast Drive" programme, he said air-rail integration has huge potential.

"High-speed rail competes with aviation to some extent, but it also complements it – so it's not a zero‑sum game," Lam said.

"I think air‑rail intermodal transport has huge potential – whether it's mainland passengers taking the high‑speed rail to Hong Kong and then connecting to an international flight, or international travellers flying into Hong Kong and then taking the high‑speed rail to different cities on the mainland.

"I believe this is the direction we should be moving towards in the future."

On the airline's future development, Lam said Cathay Pacific is on a growth drive as it plans to expand its network from 100 to 150 destinations over the next decade, targeting new markets in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and South America.

He said the new routes might not turn a profit in the first year or two – but called them good long‑term investments for the business sector and Hong Kong.


Edited by Aaron Tam