Food donated to mark 26 years in Hong Kong
United Airlines employees supplement shortage at local food banks
HONG KONG, 8 June 2009 - As part of its 26th anniversary celebration in Hong Kong, United Airlines raised a quantity of 26 varieties of food items from employees and business partners and donated them to a food bank in west Kowloon. The food items were then distributed by United volunteers to food bank users at one of the west Kowloon food bank locations on 6 June, a day which these United volunteers also shared moments of fun and played games with children from the beneficiary families.
West Kowloon, where the food bank concerned is located, is comprised of the districts of Kowloon City, Sham Shui Po, Yau Ma Tei, and Tsim Sha Tsui. Food banks in these areas have seen an increase in their usage since the outset of the present economic downturn and subsequently, a growing need for food supply at these food banks.
"As a key transpacific airline in Hong Kong, United is very much committed to the local community in which we operate both in terms of business development and corporate social responsibility. The entire United team in Hong Kong is very proud to be able to make meaningful use of our anniversary celebration and raise awareness for such worthy cause," says Sidney Kwok, director Great China, United Airlines. "United is honored to have been a key facilitator in Hong Kong-US commercial and cultural relations for the past 26 years. Regardless of the economic situation now, Hong Kong will remain significant in United's growth strategy. We will continue to listen to what our customers in this market say and invest accordingly to give them what they want."
According to latest Hong Kong government figures, more than 8,500 individuals have benefitted from food banks in Hong Kong as of April this year. Among these users, over one-quarter of them reside in west Kowloon.
In addition to this food drive, United has also introduced a special fare promotion to Ho Chi Minh City as part of its 26th anniversary in Hong Kong celebration. With the purchase of a roundtrip Economy Class ticket to Ho Chi Minh City that starts from HK$2,100, a companion passenger can enjoy a roundtrip Economy Class ticket for HK$26 only. More information about this promotion is available at local travel agencies, and United's customer service hotline at 2810-4888.
From Hong Kong, United operates daily nonstop services to Chicago, San Francisco, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City.
About United
United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) operates nearly 3,100* flights a day on United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. From London Heathrow, United operates daily services to Chicago , Washington D.C. , Los Angeles , San Francisco and Denver . With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States . United also is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for customers to 912 destinations in 159 countries worldwide. United's 48,500 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's website at unitedairlines.co.uk
*Based on United's flight schedule between Jan. 1, 2009, and Jan. 1, 2010.
About United in the Asia Pacific region
United operates around 400 services a week to/from/within the Asia Pacific region and the U.S. United flies from 13 Asia Pacific cities including Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Melbourne, Nagoya, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Tokyo. United won the "Best Economy/Coach Class" in 2006 OAG Airline of the Year Awards and was named "Best Transpacific Airline" in the 2005 OAG Awards. The airline has been voted the "Best North American Airline" nine times including 2007 and 2008 in TTG Asia's travel polls and "Best American Airline Serving China" in Business Traveler China's 2005 - 2007 travel polls. For eight consecutive years, United has been voted "Best North American Airline" by Business Traveller Asia-Pacific 2001 - 2008.
1Additional taxes and surcharges not included in these prices.
About United in Hong Kong
United operates nonstop flights from Hong Kong to f our destinations - Chicago, San Francisco, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City.
News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's Web site at www.unitedairlines.com.hk .
