Exclusive | Cathay Pacific suspends dozens of cabin crew members after flights found with depleted oxygen bottles, pending investigation
- Move comes as mainland China’s airline regulator joins Civil Aviation Department and police in investigating the oxygen bottles
- Ground staff, caterers, cleaners, engineers and others to fall under scope of the investigation
Dozens of cabin crew staff who were on three Cathay flights found carrying depleted oxygen bottles have been suspended pending an investigation, the Post has learned.
In a memo to staff on Monday, the airline announced stricter security protocols that require employees to conduct detailed checks on aircraft at least every 60 minutes between services, said Jeanette Mao, the airline’s general manager of in-flight service.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China has joined Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department and police in investigating the oxygen bottles, according to the internal memo.
All cabin crew on the flights involved will be temporarily placed on the code DA while the investigation is conducted
“The company is taking this issue very seriously and all cabin crew on the flights involved will be temporarily placed on the code DA while the investigation is conducted,” the document read.
Airline staff said code DA referred to employees put on “duty to be assigned”, which was described as effectively a suspension.