Dragonair celebrated the recent launch of its service to and from Bengaluru (Bangalore) at a special gala event in the southern Indian city last night. More than 300 guests attended the celebration hosted by Dragonair Chief Executive Officer Kenny Tang. Among those present were Indian government officials and representatives from India's travel industry.

Dragonair launched the new daily service between Hong Kong and Bengaluru on July 1 and is the only airline offering nonstop flights between two of the most dynamic and forward-looking cities in Asia.

Speaking at the gala event that marked Dragonair's beginning of passenger services in India, Mr Tang said: "We are delighted to see ties between India and Hong Kong being moved to a new level with the start of our flights. I am sure the travellers of Bengaluru and southern India will soon become familiar with the Dragonair brand."

Bengaluru is the seventh new destination Dragonair has launched since becoming part of the Cathay Pacific Group in September 2006, a development which brought many benefits for the travelling public.

"With the support of our sister airline Cathay Pacific's international network, the service between Bengaluru and Hong Kong will have a significant international reach, offering Indian travellers convenient connections to the rest of the world through the Hong Kong hub," Mr Tang added.

The inaugural event featured a blend of Chinese and Indian celebrations. The event started with a lion eye-dotting ceremony, symbolising revitalisation and energy, and a traditional Indian lamp-lighting ceremony to bestow good fortune, and was brought to a close with a Chinese lion dance and a traditional Indian dance performance.

Dragonair Chief Executive Officer Mr Kenny Tang was joined by Tom Wright, General Manager India, Cathay Pacific to dot the eyes of the lions at a ceremony held in Bengaluru to mark the airline's new service to the city.

Dragonair Chief Executive Officer Mr Kenny Tang and officiating guests performed a traditional Indian lamp-lighting ceremony at the event held in Bengaluru to mark Dragonair's new service to the city. (From left): Mr Thomas Rueppel, Chief Infrastructure Officer, Bengaluru International Airport, Mr Aditya Atal, Vice President, Spencers Travel Services Ltd., Mr Kenny Tang, Chief Executive Officer, Dragonair, Mr Tom Wright, General Manager India, Cathay Pacific, Mr Marcel Hunger Buehler, Chief Operating Officer, Bengaluru International Airport.

Dragonair, an affiliate member of oneworld, is a Hong Kong-based airline operating a fleet of 32 passenger aircraft and seven freighters serving 33 regional destinations, including 20 cities in Mainland China. Dragonair is part of the Cathay Pacific Group, providing seamless connectivity for passengers to more than 100 cities around the globe.

Dragonair web site address: www.dragonair.com