1980-1988 Sprinting Ahead in Hong Kong

1980 Cathay flies to London

At the end of a decade of rapid expansion, Cathay Pacific Airways commenced a service from Hong Kong to London - making Hong Kong's flag-carrier a truly international airline at last.

1982 Cold Storage in the USA

Swire acquired United States Cold Storage, today one of the largest public refrigerated warehouse logistics provider in the USA.

1983 Expansion into retail

Swire continued to grow its trading businesses by acquiring Marathon Sports, today Hong Kong's largest sportswear retail chain. Swire Resources has since added multi-brand sports and active-wear chains GigaSports, CATALOG and Go Wild to its successful Marathon Sports retail operations in Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China.

Inside Story

1985-86 Pacific Place takes shape

Swire Properties acquired two adjoining sites on the fringes of Hong Kong's central business district for the development of Pacific Place, which has been Swire Properties' premier managed development ever since. It includes three Grade A office towers, a major shopping mall and four five-star hotels.

1986 Cathay Pacific goes public

Cathay Pacific Airways marked its 40th anniversary by listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The floatation, which was heavily oversubscribed, shattered Hong Kong records.

1987