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Cathay Pacific hopes to bring Christmas miracle for domestic helpers stranded in Hong Kong by Peya Travel fiasco

City’s flagship airline is offering distress fares for remaining seats and exploring possibility of putting larger planes on its Manila routes

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Cathay’s plans were still fluid and the airline remained cautious not to over-promise on expectations. Photo: David Wong
Danny Lee

A Hong Kong airline is trying to create a Christmas miracle by getting some of hundreds of Filipino domestic helpers left stranded in the city back home in time for the holidays.

Cathay Pacific Airways on Tuesday announced “we stand ready to help” on social media after travel plans were thrown into disarray when tickets bought through Peya Travel – an agency specialising in flights popular with domestic helpers – could not be confirmed.

The airline offered so-called “distress fares” to fill the few remaining seats it had available after many were left out of pocket following the travel agency fiasco.

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The Post understands that Cathay, Hong Kong’s flagship airline, is assessing whether it can put larger planes on its Manila route, which would potentially make up to a few hundred more economy seats available to the helpers. Plans are still fluid and the airline remained cautious not to over-promise on expectations.

Domestic helpers and customers wait at Peya Travel in Central after air tickets could not be confirmed online. Photo: David Wong
Domestic helpers and customers wait at Peya Travel in Central after air tickets could not be confirmed online. Photo: David Wong
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Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, the two other major airlines which fly the route several times a day, have been contacted to see if they are able to help.

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