Exclusive | Coronavirus: struggling Cathay Pacific hints at further job losses with pilots now in the firing line
- In midst of ‘structural change’ review airline had said nothing was off the table
- Senior manager apologises for ‘rumour and uncertainty’ caused by lack of detail
The Cathay Pacific Group has given its clearest hint yet of job losses among pilots as part of its Covid-19 “structural change” review, ahead of crunch talks in around two weeks.
Alex McGowan, the general manager of aircrew, said in a memo to the company’s 4,100 cockpit crew the airline’s priority “is to preserve pilots’ jobs where we can”.
Cathay has said upcoming discussions with the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association (HKAOA), representing unionised pilots, would involve “challenging conversations”.
The contents of the memo referenced the job losses caused by the company’s previous restructurings, and a lower-cost pilot contract, suggesting one approach the airline might take in talks. Some pilots who previously switched to the cheaper contract took an approximate 50-60 per cent cut to total pay, which includes housing and other allowances.
03:51