Coronavirus: Cathay Pacific to prolong perks for frequent fliers as travel restrictions push minimum miles out of reach

The frequent flier programme is a vital – and reliable – source of income for Hong Kong’s embattled de facto flag carrier

Cancelled flights and national travel restrictions has seen many customers forced to slash their travelling

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Cathay Pacific is expected to offer frequent fliers an extension of their benefits as travel restrictions during the coronavirus outbreak have hampered their ability to accumulate miles. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 9:30pm, 22 Feb 2020Updated: 11:06pm, 22 Feb 2020

Cathay Pacific is set to offer loyal customers extensions of their business and first class benefits, sources say, as the deadly coronavirus epidemic leaves frequent fliers unable to travel and more likely to fall short of keeping exclusive travel perks.

The airline confirmed it was mulling plans to help its customers in its Marco Polo Club (MPC) frequent travel scheme – a vital and reliable source of revenue for the embattled airline – to “achieve and maintain” their benefits.

Airlines across the world are reeling from the Covid-19 outbreak, which has seen demand for air travel in Asia nosedive, prompting company profit warnings amid the cancellation of 200,000 flights to, from and within mainland China, according to aviation data firm Cirium.

The outbreak of the deadly coronavirus has had a drastic financial impact on Cathay Pacific, along with many other global airlines. Photo: Winson Wong

A Cathay Pacific spokeswoman said: “We understand that the Covid-19 outbreak may have affected their travel plans, and we are exploring different options to help our members achieve and maintain their tier requirements under the circumstances.

“We will communicate to our Marco Polo members as soon as the plans are confirmed.”

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