Cathay Pacific cracks down on petty theft by cabin crew of Hong Kong carrier’s in-flight supplies
- Airline sources say staff are being searched on leaving aircraft after loss of property cost company ‘untold hundreds of millions’ over the years
- Six members of staff have been placed under investigation awaiting possible disciplinary action
A crackdown by Cathay Pacific Airways on flight attendants helping themselves to company supplies has sent shock waves through the cabin crew community after several were caught red-handed over the weekend.
Such petty theft at Hong Kong’s biggest airline had long been treated as an unofficial perk, with staff taking home everything from cutlery and wine glasses to bottles of champagne and even pieces of bread, according to company and cabin crew sources.
At least six employees – a mix of senior and junior crew – were placed under investigation on Saturday awaiting possible disciplinary action after spot checks by professional security teams at Hong Kong International Airport.
The sources said the theft of items that could have been used for future flights had cost the carrier “untold hundreds of millions” over the years.
Flight attendant unions said they backed the “zero tolerance” approach but expressed concerns about how staff searches were being carried out and planned to seek legal advice.