Senior citizens contribute to the society with their wealth of experience and knowledge. To show our gratitude and respect for them, Hong Kong Airlines co-organized “Fly with Faith-Taipei Tour for Seniors” with Pok Oi Hospital yesterday, sponsoring return air tickets to Taipei, afternoon tea buffet and coach service to underprivileged elderly, giving them a memorable journey in Taiwan.
Seniors joining this activity aged between 60 and 67, who have few or even no opportunities to enjoy air travel in the past, not to say flying to Taiwan which takes approximately 1 hour only. Some seniors joining the tour said, they do not know much about Taiwan and the limited information they have is from TV, newspapers or magazines. They long for the chance to visit this beautiful place. Another participant said, “I haven’t travelled by plane for many years. It was great to experience air travel again. I am very excited about exploring the beauty of Taiwan, and look forward to visiting The Grand Hotel Taipei for the first time.”
Enjoy Local Delicacies at Airport VIP Lounge
To kick start this meaningful event, Hong Kong Airlines and Pok Oi Hospital hosted a launching ceremony at the Hong Kong International Airport, officiated by Mr. Stanley Kan, Director of Service Delivery of Hong Kong Airlines, Mr. Michael Burke, Assistant Director of Commercial of Hong Kong Airlines, Mr. Christopher Birt, General Manager of Inflight Services of Hong Kong Airlines, and Mrs. Tam Keung May Chu, Winnie, Chairlady of Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors.
After the ceremony, the group visited “Club Bauhinia”, Hong Kong Airlines Airport VIP Lounge at Terminal 1 to enjoy local delicacies like egg puffs and cart noodles. Lead by Hong Kong Airlines’ representatives and Chairlady Tam, participants then boarded Hong Kong Airlines’ Taipei-bound flight (HX254). Throughout the inflight journey, cabin crew of Hong Kong Airlines upholds the high standard of service, relieving flying anxiety of the seniors with their attentive and caring services, providing them the best flight experience ever.
Explore the beauty of Taipei
Upon arrival, the group immediately headed to one of the famous landmarks in Taipei, The Grand Hotel Taipei, to enjoy a nice afternoon tea buffet sponsored by Hong Kong Airlines. They were all fascinated by the scenery along the tour. During the tea buffet, participants were delighted to receive souvenirs sponsored by Shanghai Commercial Bank, adding colors to their stay in Taiwan.
After that, participants were amazed by the palatial architecture decorated with red columns and golden roof tiles when they toured around the hotel.. Facing Keelung River and Yangming Mountain, the hotel offers an amazing view of Songshan District to the East and Danshui to the West, taking in the magnificent view of Taipei city.
“Having its origins in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Airlines is committed to giving back to society through different kinds of activities, showing our care to people from all walks of life. We are glad to partner with Pok Oi Hospital this time to host the ‘Fly with Faith – Taipei Tour for Seniors’, sponsoring over 20 senior citizens and volunteers a trip to Taipei. The elderly has worked hard for the development of Hong Kong. This event provides us the best opportunity to express our gratitude to them, including those from less-advantaged backgrounds,” Mr. Stanley Kan, Director of Service Delivery of Hong Kong Airlines said.
Mrs. Tam Keung May Chu, Winnie, Chairlady of Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors said, “This event cannot be that successful without the generous support from Hong Kong Airlines. With their sponsorship on air tickets, coach service and meals, the elderly got the chance to travel in Taipei, adding spice to their ordinary life. We also appreciate the attentive services offered by Hong Kong Airlines. From check-in to inflight offering, the airline puts itself in the shoes of the elderlies and arrange the best for them in every detail, relieving their flying anxiety and creating a perfect journey for them.” Besides, Pok Oi Hospital would like to thank Shanghai Commercial Bank for sponsoring travel insurance and souvenirs for the elderly, and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Bureau of Hong Kong Affairs) for assistance in Visa application.
長者畢生貢獻社會，無私付出的精神，實在令人敬佩。香港航空昨日與博愛醫院合作舉辦“愛‧夢飛翔 — 關愛長者台北遊”，為博愛的清貧長者送出香港至台北來回機票，安排並贊助專車接送遊覽當地景點及享用豐富下午茶，以答謝長者過去為社會付出一分力量。
是次參與活動的長者年齡介乎60至67歲，他們很少有機會乘搭飛機外遊，部份就連只有1個多小時機程的台灣也從未到訪。有參與活動的長者表示，對台灣的認知僅從電視、報章和雜誌得悉，非常有限，所以極渴望到此一遊。有參加活動的長者坦言雖然之前曾乘過飛機，但已事隔多年，今次有幸再乘飛機，心情既緊張又興奮； 加上這次旅程有機會踏足台北圓山大飯店，實在十分期待。
享用貴賓室 品嚐地道小食
為隆重其事，香港航空與博愛醫院於出發前在香港國際機場舉行活動啟程典禮，並由香港航空服務總監簡浩賢先生、香港航空商務助理總監白思遠先生、香港航空機艙服務總經理Christopher Birt先生及博愛醫院乙未年董事局譚姜美珠主席主禮，為旅程揭開序幕。
典禮後，一眾長者參觀位於機場客運大樓的香港航空貴賓室“紫荊堂”，享用香港地道美食如雞蛋仔、車仔麵等。及後，在香港航空代表及譚姜美珠主席的帶領下，長者們便登上香港航空客機前往台北。在個多小時的機程中，香港航空的機艙服務員爲長者們送上貼心真摯的服務，紓解乘機的緊張感覺，享受優質的飛行體驗。
參觀地標 感謝各方支持
到達台北市後，長者們隨即乘坐專車前往台北地標 — 圓山大飯店享用豐富下午茶，並在途經欣賞風光明媚的桃園風景區。席間，上海商業銀行派員向參與者送出地道小禮物。
品嚐美味下午茶後，各位長者便隨團遊覽飯店，欣賞飯店紅柱金瓦氣勢宏偉的建築，感受富麗堂皇的古典氣派，遠眺巍峨的陽明山，近觀基隆河，東望松山，鳥瞰台北市的繁華市容。
香港航空服務總監簡浩賢先生說：“香港航空紮根香港，一直透過舉辦不同活動回饋社會，展示對各階層人士的關懷。我們十分高興這次與博愛醫院合辦‘愛‧夢飛翔 — 關愛長者台北遊’活動，贊助超過20名長者及隨團義工的台北來回機票及下午茶。長者們一生為社會發展而默默付出，這活動能夠讓清貧長者乘坐我們飛機，到台北遊覽，實在十分有意義。”
博愛醫院乙未年董事局譚姜美珠主席表示：“是次活動得以順利舉行，博愛醫院衷心感謝香港航空送出來回機票、當地專車接送及宴請下午茶，讓參與活動的長者有機會乘坐飛機到台灣旅遊，為平淡的生活增添快樂歡愉。同時，本院亦十分感謝香港航空貼心周到的服務，從辦理登機手續至機艙服務，無不處處為長者著想，不但能紓緩他們乘機的緊張情緒，也能滿足他們旅遊的需要，讓長者體驗一個完美的旅程。”此外，博愛醫院亦感謝上海商業銀行為參與者送出保險費及地道小禮物，以及台北經濟文化局（香港辦事處）協助辦理簽證。
