Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg resigns in midst of Hong Kong protest controversy

One of Hogg’s deputies Paul Loo also steps down under major changes at protest-stricken airline, as chairman says new leadership needed to ‘reset confidence’

Shock resignations follow sacking of four members of Cathay staff for taking part in, or in relation to, the demonstrations gripping Hong Kong

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Rupert Hogg has resigned as CEO of Cathay Pacific in a bombshell development, with the airline consumed in a protest row. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 5:09pm, 16 Aug 2019Updated: 11:34pm, 16 Aug 2019

Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg resigned on Friday, ending a stormy week for the Hong Kong flag carrier after it was rebuked by Beijing over the participation of some of its employees in the city's festering anti-government protests.

Paul Loo, the chief customer and commercial officer of Cathay, who was one of 57-year-old Hogg’s deputies, also stepped down.

“These have been challenging weeks for the airline and it is right that Paul and I take responsibility as leaders of the company,” Hogg said in a company statement.

The airline was targeted by Beijing for what was seen as its failure to rein in staff taking part in protests gripping the city over the past 10 weeks.

Rupert Hogg, second from left, and Paul Loo, second from right, pictured in May, have both quit Cathay’s board amid a protest-related furore. Photo: Sam Tsang

Its share price hit a 10-year low this week as China’s civil aviation regulator issued a major safety risk warning to Cathay and set out a list of demands, including giving full information on crew flying into its airspace.

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