A court in California has ruled that nine sacked Cathay Pacific pilots should take their claims for wrongful dismissal to the Hong Kong courts.
However, the cases of three of the nine remain technically alive because they are California residents.
Cathay Pacific hailed the court ruling as a second victory within 24 hours. On Friday, the High Court in Hong Kong rejected an injunction order sought by First Officer Murray Gardner to stop Cathay implementing new rostering practices introduced in August.
Cathay Pacific said the California judge had agreed with the company that a court in the US state was not an appropriate forum to deal with claims by the nine pilots. 'Cathay Pacific has always believed this course of action in the California courts was fundamentally misguided,' it said.
The company's director of corporate development, Tony Tyler, said: 'We welcome the court's decision that this is, of course, a matter which should be dealt with by Hong Kong's courts.
'These former employees who feel they have a case to be heard will now need to have this addressed in Hong Kong, as is fit and proper.'
