Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific sends in high-flying manager Alex McGowan with hopes of reviving talks with restive pilots
Man currently overseeing business restructure at loss-making carrier has been tipped as future boss
Cathay Pacific Airways has parachuted one of its star performers – a man barely halfway through leading its company restructure – into a new role tackling an issue central to the loss-making airline’s return to profitability: disgruntled pilots.
Strategic transformation head Alex McGowan is the new general manager for aircrew, sources said. McGowan had lately been in charge of turning around Hong Kong’s flagship carrier, including overseeing 600 job cuts earlier last year.
Insiders say McGowan is well liked by staff and is credited with getting the job done and delivering on big projects. In his transformation role, he reported directly to CEO Rupert Hogg.
