Cathay Pacific Group(国泰航空) announced on Oct.21 to shutits regional brand, Cathay Dragon (国泰港龙)with operations ceasing on the same day.

The restructuring also included to slash 8,500jobs, accounting for about 24% of Cathay’s headcount. Some 5,300 staff based in HongKong will be laid off within a few weeks.

Deng Jianrong, Cathay Pacific Airways chairman, said in a statement that the action was to reduce the group’s cash burn of the staggering HK$1.5-2 billion monthly by about HK$ 500 million.

Cathay Dragonhas been operating between Hangzhou and Hongkong since 1986. Its services are likely to be taken over by Cathay Pacific.

Free Haagen-dazswas one of the irresistible reasons for many to choose the Cathay Dragon.

Even though Haagen-dazswill no longer be catered, its parent company Cathay Pacific offers an alternative -- Movenpick, another premium ice cream brand owned by Nestle.

Hangzhou International Airport states that there has not yet shown signs of recovery of flights betwen HZ and HK by the group, but it should not be impacting much to the passengers, as China Eastern Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines and Spring Airlines remains operational.