Cathay Hackathon 2024 Expands to Shenzhen, Showcasing Young Innovators in Aviation Technology

Cathay’s flagship tech event provides a unique platform for young innovators to showcase their creative ideas and solutions to enhance the aviation industry in Hong Kong and beyond

(IN SHORT) The seventh annual Cathay Hackathon concluded in Shenzhen, marking its first expansion into the Greater Bay Area. The event attracted over 1,500 applicants from Hong Kong, mainland China, and abroad, with 10 teams reaching the Final Pitch. The winning team, GingTrip, presented an innovative modular trolley for automating recycling and waste sorting on HK Express flights, earning top prizes including business class tickets and fast-track opportunities. The hackathon, supported by major tech partners, reflects Cathay’s commitment to fostering young talent, driving innovation, and promoting sustainability in aviation across the region.

(PRESS RELEASE) Hong Kong, China, 2024-Nov-22 — /Travel PR News/ — The seventh annual Cathay Hackathon, Cathay Pacific’s flagship tech innovation event, concluded successfully this past weekend in Shenzhen, marking the program’s first expansion into the Greater Bay Area since its launch in 2016. Held at the Qianhai Kerry Centre, the event brought together young innovators from Hong Kong, mainland China, and abroad to pitch cutting-edge ideas aimed at transforming the aviation industry.

A Platform for Future Innovators

This year’s Cathay Hackathon attracted over 1,500 applications from university students worldwide. After a rigorous selection process, 74 teams comprising approximately 300 students participated in a 24-hour online Development Day to refine their concepts. From these, 10 standout teams advanced to the Final Pitch, where they presented their ideas to Cathay’s senior management and industry judges.

Winning Idea: Automating Sustainability in the Skies

The winning team, GingTrip, presented a modular trolley designed for HK Express flights that automates recycling and waste sorting. By collecting and processing waste data through a dashboard, the solution enables data-driven decision-making for sustainable operations.

GingTrip member Andy Ng expressed gratitude for the experience:
“Returning to the Cathay Hackathon was a rewarding journey. This year’s expansion into the Greater Bay Area provided new insights into the region’s tech landscape. The mentorship and feedback we received were invaluable, and we’re honored to have been recognized for our efforts.”

GingTrip’s members were awarded round-trip business class tickets to any Cathay Pacific destination, 100,000 Asia Miles, and fast-track opportunities for incubation funding and Cathay’s Digital & IT Summer Internship and Graduate Trainee Programmes.

Expanding Horizons

This year’s event ventured beyond Hong Kong for the first time, with Shenzhen chosen as the host city due to its reputation as a global tech hub. Duncan Chiu, Legislative Council member for Technology and Innovation, praised the event’s impact:
“Cathay Hackathon is more than a competition—it’s a platform that empowers young dreamers to pursue innovation. By supporting these bright minds, Cathay is shaping a future of tech-driven success for the aviation industry and beyond.”

Nurturing Digital Talent

Cathay Director of Digital and IT, Lawrence Fong, emphasized the program’s broader mission:
“The Cathay Hackathon is a vital part of our commitment to fostering creativity, cultivating digital talent, and driving innovation. Expanding into the Greater Bay Area has allowed us to tap into a diverse pool of bright, tech-savvy minds whose ingenuity will shape the future of aviation.”

Participants explored emerging technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, collaborated with Cathay subject matter experts, and gained behind-the-scenes insights into Cathay’s operations. The event was supported by major industry players, including Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Google Cloud, Huawei, Microsoft, and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, providing the resources needed to bring ideas to life.

Building the Future of Aviation

The Cathay Hackathon forms part of Cathay’s broader effort to inspire and develop young talent in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. Initiatives such as its Digital & IT Summer Internship, Graduate Trainee Programmes, and Cadet Pilot Training Programme reflect Cathay’s dedication to empowering the next generation of innovators and leaders in the aviation sector.

Media Contact:

Tel: 2747 3333
press@cathaypacific.com

Source: Cathay Pacific

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