Cathay has unveiled a series of senior leadership appointments across Southeast Asia and Oceania, marking a significant step in its strategy to strengthen regional operations, streamline efficiency, and deliver an elevated travel and cargo experience.
The announcement follows the integration of Cathay’s Southeast Asia and Oceania divisions, a move designed to foster closer collaboration across markets and align the airline’s vision for growth with the evolving needs of travellers and businesses in the region.
New Regional Leadership
At the helm of the newly integrated region is Frosti Lau, appointed as Regional General Manager, Southeast Asia & Oceania. A Cathay veteran with more than 25 years of service, Lau previously led the Southwest Pacific region and has held senior roles spanning commercial, cargo, and operations in Hong Kong, South Africa, and Oceania. Known for his expertise in operational excellence and digital transformation, Lau is expected to play a pivotal role in driving growth and ensuring Cathay’s services remain competitive across diverse markets.
Joining him in shaping the airline’s customer proposition is Jonathan Ng, who assumes the role of Regional Head of Customer Travel and Lifestyle, Southeast Asia & Oceania. With Cathay since 2011, Ng brings extensive experience across customer-facing functions, including a secondment to low-cost carrier HK Express. He will lead efforts to deepen customer engagement, expand lifestyle offerings, and enhance the end-to-end travel experience.
On the cargo front, Ashish Kapur has been named Regional Head of Cargo, Southeast Asia & Oceania. With over 24 years at Cathay, Kapur has spearheaded cargo strategy and service innovation across multiple markets. His appointment reflects the airline’s recognition of Southeast Asia and Oceania as vital cargo hubs, particularly as demand for e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and perishables continues to grow.
Additional leadership positions have also been confirmed:
- Lynn See – Regional Head of People
- Steve Cheung – Regional Head of Finance
- Adam Nelson – Regional Head of Engineering
- Dominic Vallado – Regional Head of Airports
Together, this leadership team will oversee critical functions that ensure operational resilience, financial stability, and an enhanced customer journey.
Market-Level Appointments
Cathay has also strengthened its local presence with new Area Head and Country Manager roles:
- Kelly Tsang – Area Head, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam
- Nicolas Masse – Area Head, Singapore and Malaysia
Both bring extensive experience within Cathay’s global network and will focus on driving growth in passenger and cargo operations while maintaining the airline’s reputation for premium service.
Part of a Wider Growth Strategy
The leadership reshuffle comes on the heels of a strong financial performance. In its 2025 Interim Results, the Cathay Group reported a profit of HK$3.7 billion for the first half of the year. The airline also confirmed the purchase of 14 new Boeing 777-9 aircraft, underscoring its confidence in long-term expansion and network resilience.
As Cathay continues to strengthen its footprint in Southeast Asia and Oceania, the focus remains firmly on three pillars: operational efficiency, sustainable growth, and customer excellence. The new appointments are expected to accelerate momentum in these areas, positioning the airline to capture new opportunities in both leisure and corporate travel, as well as cargo.
Looking Ahead
Cathay’s restructured leadership team arrives at a time when demand for travel across Southeast Asia and Oceania is steadily rising. By combining regional expertise with a renewed focus on customer engagement and operational agility, the airline is positioning itself to thrive in an increasingly competitive aviation landscape.
For travellers, the changes signal more than a leadership shuffle: they represent Cathay’s renewed commitment to providing seamless journeys, innovative services, and a distinctly premium travel experience across some of the world’s most dynamic markets.
