Letters | Ask not what Cathay can do for Hong Kong, but what government can do for Cathay

Readers discuss how the government can support Hong Kong’s flag carrier, the problem with the city’s concert venues, and stereotypes about certain countries propagated by the media

Hong Kong economy

Letters

Published: 11:30am, 1 Apr 2024

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I am writing in response to the report, “Cathay insists on prudent spending, rejects offering perks or discounts” (March 23). It is reasonable for legislators to grill Cathay Pacific executives on the cancellation of 786 flights between December last year and February this year, so that the airline’s services can be further improved and the same mistakes avoided in future.

However, if I were a legislator, I would have put one question to the relevant Hong Kong government officials. An obvious challenge is the shortage of pilots. With the government having imposed stringent anti-Covid measures, Hong Kong could only fully reopen air travel roughly a year later than many other places. It is totally understandable that Cathay had to let go of some pilots during that tough period in order to survive, but being a latecomer makes it more difficult for the airline to rehire crew since pilots may already have accepted offers from other companies.

I would expect our government officials to be more aggressive and innovative in helping Hong Kong’s economy recover. If I were a legislator, instead of asking Cathay for a report, the question I would ask the relevant government officials is: have you asked yourselves what you can do for Cathay and other airlines in Hong Kong to attract more pilots to work here?

The government is making an effort to attract talent. One of the key performance indicators for the government should be how many more qualified pilots we can attract to work for our airlines based out of Hong Kong. We could have a special task force to help new pilots to settle down in the city quickly, and special tax relief or even bonuses for pilots after a certain number of years of service with airlines in Hong Kong. Perhaps some seats should be guaranteed in international schools for children of pilots.

To further strengthen our position as an international aviation hub, I really hope the Hong Kong government will be more proactive in attracting pilots as vital talent for the city.

Tony Fung, North Point

Ring the changes to make city a concert hub

As our lives return to normal after the Covid-19 pandemic, so too does the concert scene. However, my recent experience suggests Hong Kong needs to upgrade its concert venues if it hopes to be Asia’s hub for mega events.

The acoustics are the soul of any concert, especially those featuring live bands, but they were rather disappointing in the exhibition hall at AsiaWorld-Expo. While fans in the front rows could clearly hear the band, those at the back where I was could only hear weak singing voices and a muddled mix of instruments.

Not all the exhibition halls at AsiaWorld-Expo were built for concerts. The venue I was in had no pre-installed loudspeakers, LED screens or even seats. The seats used for the concert I attended were just ordinary chairs that looked like those in restaurants. This is in stark contrast to AsiaWorld-Arena, the concert venue in the same complex with professional concert seats and sound equipment.

Getting sound effects right is a basic requirement for quality concert venues. If Hong Kong wants to stand out from its rivals, it must upgrade its facilities. It is also important for venues to have resident sound technicians, not just outsourced personnel, to ensure the quality and maintenance of venues and equipment.

Hong Kong might not be producing as many outstanding singers as other places, but we can certainly provide quality concert venues which meet international standards and attract performers from overseas to the city. Becoming a hub for concerts holds huge potential given the audiences we could attract from the mainland and Hong Kong’s other neighbours. We must seize this opportunity before it slips away.

Alison Ng, assistant lecturer, Centre for Applied English Studies, University of Hong Kong

Travel a way to counter media narratives

The modern media – more so private, for-profit news outlets than state media – is terrifyingly effective at planting stereotypes and paranoia in people’s minds. For example, news about Cambodia tends to focus on drug dens and telecommunications scammers living in squalid camps. However, a brief six-day trip to this beautiful country changed my mind. Not only were there no drugs or criminals in sight, I felt more at ease than when touring Europe.

I visited Siem Reap, a sprawling paradise with sleepy little villages and a vibrant, rich history. Angkor Wat, the temple complex and Unesco heritage site, is a must-see. The local people were friendly, diligent and honest and the tour guides all had harrowing yet touching stories of their own upbringing to tell. The Cambodian cuisine I tasted was a distinct fusion of Vietnamese and Thai cuisines. I still reminisce fondly about the sweet, red energy drink Sting I sampled there.

My trip made me question media narratives about so-called third world nations, and beyond. What if the “axis of evil” – Russia, Iran and North Korea – isn’t completely at fault for the geopolitical turmoil we face right now?

It seems like the only solution is to trust our eyes and hearts, and start travelling.

Daniel Cheung, Mid-Levels