In his opinion piece in the China Daily Hong Kong Edition on Sept 10 ("Junketeers damage city's reputation"), Lau Nai-keung stated that the trip organized by Cathay Pacific to the Airbus factory last month was "obviously an inducement for the junketeers to support a third runway". This is a totally erroneous statement that casts very serious aspersions on both the airline and those who joined the trip.

Lau refers to the "advantage" and "inducement" resulting from this trip being clearly "beyond reasonable doubt". Has he got any proof to show that the trip was, as he says, an inducement to influence legislators regarding a third runway at Hong Kong International Airport?

We made it clear that discussion topics during the trip included issues relevant and important to Hong Kong aviation development, including the third runway at Hong Kong International Airport, labour shortages in Hong Kong, and the development of low-cost carriers.

Lau also says that those joining the trip have been "exposed". There has never been any secrecy behind the fact-finding aircraft delivery trips and new destination launches that we have organized for many people from all sectors of the local community over the years.

Cathay Pacific has been making massive investments to help strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international aviation hub and, as a consequence, boost the local economy. We have been keen to share these developments with as many people from the community as possible to highlight the importance of the aviation industry to Hong Kong. We have done this by inviting people from various sectors of the community - including councillors, academics, industry practitioners, business professionals, community leaders, green groups and the media - for delivery trips, new destination launches and special community flights.

Aviation is an important industry that employs thousands of people locally and is a pillar of our economy. The aim of the aircraft delivery trip was to provide a deeper understanding of aviation development, current aviation technology innovations, and issues the industry faces. We wanted to show how these huge investments we are making are important not just for the airline itself but also for Hong Kong's aviation industry as a whole and the city's economic development.

We have been inviting members of the community on these trips for many years. It is important that we continue to use different channels to engage members of the community to understand the industry's challenges and contribution.

Chitty Cheung, director of corporate affairs, Cathay Pacific Airways

(HK Edition 09/11/2013 page1)