The 2010 Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme came to a successful conclusion last night with 16 cadets honoured at a special event organised by the airline.

The programme, launched five years ago, is an educational initiative jointly organised by Dragonair and the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps. It consists of an eight-month training programme for young people aged 18 to 23 who have an interest in pursuing a career in the aviation industry. Each participant is guided by a Dragonair pilot mentor as they build a strong foundation of aviation knowledge through lectures, training sessions, briefings, and tours of aviation facilities hosted by supporting organisations.

Officiating at the graduation ceremony were Director General of Civil Aviation Norman Lo, Dragonair Chief Executive Officer James Tong, and Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps Commanding Officer Group Captain Jones Wong. Among those attending the dinner were the cadet graduates, the Dragonair pilots who mentored them through the programme, programme alumni, and representatives from the various supporting organisations.

Addressing the cadets at the ceremony, Mr Norman Lo said: "The continuous success for Hong Kong to maintain its aviation hub status depends on the future supply of a competent workforce. I am very grateful that Dragonair has contributed significantly to such development by providing the Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme for the youth of Hong Kong."

In his own address, James Tong said the Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme is a key initiative under Dragonair's corporate social responsibility banner, demonstrating the airline's strong commitment to the local community. Over the past five years, a total of 66 cadets have successfully completed the programme and a number of them have already embarked on aviation careers - some joining Dragonair as professional pilots.

"This programme offers young Hong Kong people an invaluable opportunity to cultivate an enthusiasm for aviation and get one step closer to making their aviation dreams come true," Mr Tong added. "We are looking into further expanding the programme so that more young people can benefit, and we expect to announce more details early next year."

Group Captain Jones Wong said: "The Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme is now a sustainable development and within this relatively short time a number of young people who graduated from the programme are now actually serving in the aviation industry. I am sure that as time goes by when other alumni finish their university education they will likewise select aviation as their first choice for career."

Mr Tong thanked all the Dragonair pilots who gave up their personal time to take up the role of mentors. He also expressed his appreciation to all the aviation-related organisations whose ongoing support has helped to ensure the programme's success: Airport Authority Hong Kong, Aviation Security Co Ltd, the Civil Aviation Department, the Government Flying Service, Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Ltd, Hong Kong Airport Services Ltd, the Airport Meteorological Office of the Hong Kong Observatory, and the programme co-organiser, the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps.

Director General of Civil Aviation Norman Lo (second from right, first row), Dragonair CEO James Tong (first from left, second row), Commanding Officer of the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, Group Captain Jones Wong (first from right, first row) and Dragonair General Manager Operations Captain Peter Sanderson (second from left, second row) with cadet graduates of the 2010 Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme.

Cadet graduates of the 2010 Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme expressed appreciation to Dragonair pilots who acted as their mentors

Cadet graduates with officiating guests, pilot mentors and representatives from all supporting organisations at the graduation ceremony.

Dragonair, an affiliate member of oneworld, is a Hong Kong-based airline operating a fleet of 31 passenger aircraft and serving 33 regional destinations, including 17 cities in Mainland China. Dragonair has been recognised for its product and service quality, and was voted "World's Best Regional Airline" in the annual World Airline Survey run by Skytrax in 2010. Dragonair is part of the Cathay Pacific Group, providing seamless connectivity for passengers to more than 110 cities around the globe.

Dragonair web site: www.dragonair.com