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Cathay Pacific has said 5,300 Hong Kong-based and 600 overseas employees will be made redundant in its biggest jobs cut ever, while Cathay Dragon will cease operations with immediate effect. The moves are part of a global HK$2.2 billion restructuring to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic fallout. Photo: AFP
OpinionLetters

Letters | Cathay Pacific: time for Hong Kong to stand with flag carrier

  • It is Hong Kong’s moment to understand that the steps being taken now are meant to preserve as many jobs as possible and allow this proud part of our city’s heritage to survive
Cathay Pacific
Letters
Letters
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As “heart-wrenching” as the decision was to retire the Cathay Dragon brand and let go of 8,500 staff from across the Cathay Pacific group, it was the right decision.

Cathay Pacific has stood with Hong Kong for decades, sewing a thread of community support as well as acting as a safety net for stranded passengers when other airlines failed. In these most difficult times, it is Hong Kong’s moment to understand that the steps the airline is taking now are meant to preserve as many jobs as possible and allow this proud part of our city’s heritage to survive.

In survival remains the opportunity for future employment, when the world returns to normalcy and the wings of Cathay shall again carry the pride of Hong Kong around the globe.

Mark Peaker, The Peak

Cathay, city must consider all options to help staff

I write in response to the article “Cathay Pacific ‘to axe 6,000 staff and Dragon brand’ in bid to stay afloat, with most cuts aimed at Hong Kong workforce” (October 20).
I was pained but not surprised to learn that, because of the pandemic, Cathay Pacific had already lost a record HK$9.87 billion (US$1.27 billion) in the first six months of the year. In view of that, the airline is drastically reducing its workforce to minimise expenditure, with a staggering 5,300 redundancies in Hong Kong.

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Hong Kong’s flagship carrier Cathay Pacific to axe 5,900 staff and immediately drop Dragon brand

Hong Kong’s flagship carrier Cathay Pacific to axe 5,900 staff and immediately drop Dragon brand
In my opinion, this action was inevitable and acceptable. Still, we have to bear in mind that those employees who will be made redundant are mostly specialists in their respective fields. In other words, it might be challenging for them to secure another job with similar responsibilities. If they unfortunately reach a dead end, there is nothing they can do but apply for an ordinary job. And even that could be difficult to achieve given how terrible the economic situation in Hong Kong is. Not only will this affect their income, which in turn hinders economic development, but it will also result in a loss of talent. Ultimately, the international competitiveness of Hong Kong will be harmed.

Cathay Pacific board expected to back ambitious revamp within days

Having to lay off 17 per cent of employees in the city is surely a tragedy. Could Cathay Pacific and the government cooperate to connect the dismissed employees with suitable jobs, no matter whether these are local or overseas?

Cathay could also look at more drastic pay cuts, say by 40 per cent, so it can retain some of the more experienced staff. That way, employees can fully devote themselves to their desired career to earn what they deserve once the pandemic is over.

Anson Lam, Tseung Kwan O

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