On May 13, Dragonair celebrated the graduation of Induction Classes A99 and A100 from its cabin crew training programme, highlighting the airline's continued commitment to delivering quality service with a strong emphasis on safety.

First launched in 1985, the programme adopted the "A1" tag in 1995 when Dragonair acquired its first Airbus A330 wide-bodied aircraft. The recent graduates will bring the total number of cabin crew to more than 1,300. Of the 42 cabin crew members in A99 and A100, 14 are from Shanghai and will operate from that city. All are now looking forward to exciting new careers within the airline.

"The quality of our cabin crew has a vital role to play in providing the kind of service for which we have become renowned," said Dragonair Chief Executive Officer Kenny Tang. "The training we have provided for both Hong Kong and Shanghai-based crew will ensure a consistent standard of service to our passengers and help to maintain our reputation as the airline of choice to and from the Mainland."

"The newly graduated cabin crew will help Dragonair in its mission to provide safe, reliable, efficient and courteous service, and also support the airline's efforts to expand its network and further develop the Hong Kong hub. With the knowledge they acquire and experience they gain, I am sure our new crew will help us reach new heights in terms of the services we offer our customers," Mr Tang added.

All Dragonair cabin crew go through a seven-week training programme for service delivery and safety training covering areas such as aircraft knowledge, service equipment and amenities, galley packing, food and beverage knowledge, service flow, aviation security training, and first aid and emergency procedures. Before graduation, each crew member has to pass a series of assessments to ensure they have reached the standard required.

Photograph 1: Tony Tyler, Dragonair's Chairman, addressing the guests at the graduation ceremony.

Photograph 2: Kenny Tang, Dragonair's Chief Executive Officer (seventh from left in the front row), with the cabin crew of Induction Classes A99 and A100.

Photograph 3: Kenny Tang, Dragonair's Chief Executive Officer, presenting a certificate to the top performer of one of the Induction Classes.