PORT ADELAIDE’S partnership with Cathay Pacific continues to build through 2017 on the back of significant announcements with the club’s China Engagement Strategy.

Cathay is Port Adelaide’s international travel partner having increased its investment in the club to ‘premier’ level prior to the 2017 season.

They will fly hundreds of Port Adelaide supporters to the club for Round 8, having experienced four times the usual demand for Shanghai flights as a result of the game.

Cathay Pacific’s executives recently attended the state visit by Chinese Premier Li to the SCG for the Power’s Round 1 win over the Swans.

Cathay Pacific will increase its investment in South Australia by delivering another premium flight service.

From July 6, South Australians will be able to fly on a fifth, permanent Cathay service from Adelaide to Hong Kong.

The additional flight out of Adelaide will see a 25 percent increase in Cathay’s capacity along the route to 2,500 seats per week, as well as additional space for 15 tonnes of cargo, according to Cathay Pacific’s General Manager – South West Pacific Nelson Chin.

“Our partnership with Port Adelaide extends beyond the match in China," Mr Chin said.

“Since signing on as a China Power Club member in 2016 and increasing our investment to premier partner status in 2017 as part of Port Adelaide’s Open to the World program, we have seen some incredibly strong synergies between our strategy in the region and Port’s moves into China.

“Like Port Adelaide, Cathay Pacific is focussed on growing and developing strong commercial and cultural relationships between Australia and China.

“Our ethos is to promote a ‘life well-travelled’ – to live well, you need to travel well, and our premium service will be welcomed by South Australians and Power fans alike.

“Adding a fifth service to the Adelaide-Hong Kong route from the start of July shows our commitment to our partnership and to the state of South Australia.”

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas is excited to see the Cathay partnership going from strength to strength.

“Since coming on board as a premier partner, Cathay Pacific has been delivering Port Adelaide supporters incredible service to help send them to Shanghai in style," Mr Thomas said.

“Cathay’s flights have been incredibly popular, so anyone wishing to fly with our international travel partner should get in quick.

“Our China Engagement Strategy is working with international businesses like Cathay Pacific to drive better economic and cultural relations between Australian and Chinese business, and tourism investment is key to this.

“We welcome Cathay Pacific’s increased investment in South Australia and look forward to this partnership continuing.”