Cathay imposes stricter self-isolation rules for aircrew returning to Hong Kong, considers staff relocation plan

Crew will have to remain in their homes for three days after arriving in the city, and avoid group gatherings for another four

Airline is also gauging pilot interest in a contingency plan that would see them effectively relocated for four months at a time

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Cathay Pacific has announced stricter new rules for pilots flying in and out of Hong Kong. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 11:07pm, 15 Nov 2021Updated: 8:21am, 16 Nov 2021

Cathay Pacific will require all aircrew exempted from Hong Kong’s strict quarantine arrangements to self-isolate and avoid gatherings upon returning to the city, even as it prepares a drastic contingency plan to base pilots overseas for months at a stretch to shore up manpower.

Cathay is currently gauging pilots’ interest in the new contingency, which would see them relocated outside Hong Kong, quarantined in between flights to and from the city, and kept out of the local community – and away from their families – for four months at a time.

Pilots are being asked whether they would prefer being based in Dubai, Anchorage, Chicago or other unspecified locations on both US coasts.

The novel approach is seen as a workaround to Hong Kong’s stringent anti-epidemic measures, which are destabilising the airline’s flight operations.

Cathay is also gauging interest in a new working arrangement that would effectively see pilots relocated for four months at a time. Photo: Reuters

Cathay unveiled the “enhanced” self-isolation rules to its staff on Monday night, with the measures set to take effect on Wednesday. The stepped-up requirements came after three Cathay cargo pilots who were exempt from quarantine on arrival later tested positive for the coronavirus days after re-entering Hong Kong.