Cathay Pacific makes U-turn on move to tag Rimowa suitcases as ‘fragile’ from high-cost claims
Earlier staff memo said tagging was aimed to ‘reduce number of damage reports’, but the airline has since reversed its instruction
Cathay Pacific reversed its policy to tag Rimowa suitcases as “fragile” on Monday in a surprise decision that came hours after the Post reported on the airline’s earlier move to curb the “high cost” of compensation claims from passengers.
“With immediate effect, please stop affixing the ‘fragile’ tag to Rimowa,” a revised notice said.
“Staff members can apply normal baggage handling [procedures].”
The U-turn followed an earlier decision to curb a surge in costly damage claims, prompting the airline to tell staff to handle the luggage with extra care.
Furthermore, a source said the airline balked at the policy after a discussion with the luxury bagmaker.
Originally the action would have given passengers more peace of mind when travelling with branded suitcases that can cost almost as much as a premium economy return ticket from Hong Kong to London.