Cathay hosted its inaugural Cathay Inter-School Aviation Challenge Cup (CISACC).
The initiative is aimed at Cathay‘s commitment to being a positive force for the community and nurturing the next generation of aviation enthusiasts for the Hong Kong international aviation hub.
The competition had four preliminary rounds, with each round featuring four schools. The top four teams of each round moved on to the Finale.
Additionally, the remaining teams competed in the CISACC Plate Competition, which included a STEAM-based aircraft building challenge judged on aircraft performance, geometry and structure, livery and teamwork.
The event was hosted by Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau and was attended by the Chief Flight Standards Officer of the Civil Aviation Department, Captain Lawrence Wong, as Guest of Honour, as well as Hong Kong Youth Aviation Academy (HKYAA) Chairman Captain Patrick Lau and other distinguished guests.
Chief Flight Standards of the Civil Aviation Department Captain Lawrence Wong said, “Beginning with a single runway at Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong’s civil aviation has since evolved into today’s fully operational Three‑Runway System. As the industry marked its 100th anniversary in 2025, this remarkable journey reflects its continuous pursuit of high‑quality development.
“Over the years, the Civil Aviation Department has worked closely with local airlines, the Government Flying Service, training institutions, aviation youth groups and the Hong Kong Youth Aviation Academy, among others, to nurture talent in flying, engineering, maintenance and aviation management through diverse training programmes that support the industry’s long‑term development.
“The Cathay Inter‑School Aviation Challenge Cup provides a valuable platform for young people to deepen their understanding of the aviation industry through reading and an interactive quiz format, helping to build a strong foundation for those aspiring to join the civil aviation sector in the future. The Civil Aviation Department is pleased to see the continued development of such initiatives and looks forward to their expansion to more regions, attracting wider youth participation and jointly promoting the sustainable development of the civil aviation industry on both national and local levels.”
Christian Alliance S. C. Chan Memorial College emerged as the first-ever CISACC champion team and won the Cathay I Can Fly Youth Academy Adelaide Trip to explore and engage in cross-cultural interactions.
Additionally, other finalists received aviation-themed awards and round-trip tickets to destinations across Asia that fall within Cathay Pacific’s network.
The top three teams were given priority to participate in the next edition of the competition.
Cathay’s Lavinia Lau said: “At Cathay, we are committed to being a force of positivity for the community, with a key focus on promoting youth development. It is truly heartening to see so many bright young minds come together today to showcase their talent and teamwork. By making aviation education more engaging, accessible and rewarding, initiatives like AeroQuiz and CISACC provide young people with a platform to build confidence, broaden their horizons and pursue their ambitions.
“With an annual Cup format and plans to expand it into the wider Greater Bay Area, we hope to encourage even more students to aim high and return each year to compete as their first step towards an exciting future in aviation. I look forward to seeing many future leaders take flight from this platform and contribute to Hong Kong’s continued success as an international aviation hub.”
Cathay and HKYAA launched AeroQuiz in 2025, a web-based platform to enhance aviation knowledge. Moreover, AeroQuiz, CISACC and the Cathay I Can Fly programme form an interconnected youth development initiatives that reaffirm Cathay’s commitment to empowering youth in the aviation industry.
With its commitment to empowering youth knowledge, Cathay hosted its first Cathay Inter-School Aviation Challenge Cup.
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Aviation Reporter - A master's student at the University of Edinburgh, political scientist and journalist, Suhani contributes the latest trends and developments in the aviation industry to Travel Radar.
