The pay dispute initiated by Cathay Pacific pilots crippled the company's flight services, disrupting holiday- makers' plans, and has sparked a call for the Government to encourage more airlines to enter the local air travel market.
Cathay offered pilots a package that would have meant savings of $1.5 billion for the company. This was rejected as 'unreasonable' by the pilots and led to scores of them calling in sick due to stress. As a result, hundreds of flights were cancelled.
Outgoing Airport Authority chief Wong Po-yan has urged the Government to introduce greater competition in the local market, which has traditionally been dominated by Cathay Pacific Airways.
Mr Wong said Chek Lap Kok Airport - which at present records an average of 450 take-offs and landings a day - was under- used and would not generate enough revenue to bridge its deficit.
'Opening up the air market would mean passengers would enjoy greater convenience at a lower cost. It would also help bring more flights to the airport,' he said.
Mr Wong said the current official policy was formulated from specific conditions at the old Kai Tak airport and was based on the one city, one airline principle.
'There's a changing international perspective that sees greater benefits with more than one airline per country.
