Cathay Pacific not ready for soaring Hong Kong demand for flights as Covid restrictions ease, pilots’ association says
- Airline management has failed to retain or recruit enough aircrew to return to normal operations, pilots’ association says
- But Cathay Pacific says it has sufficient staff and a ‘comprehensive’ recruitment programme was under way
Cathay Pacific does not have enough pilots to sustain a rapid increase in business expected in the wake of Hong Kong’s easing of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the aircrew’s union has warned, although management says a “comprehensive” hiring effort is under way.
The Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association on Thursday said the airline had not retained or recruited enough aircrew, and highlighted that the city’s flag carrier employed fewer than 2,500 pilots at present, down sharply from 4,000 two years ago.
The association, which represents most Cathay Pacific flight personnel, said it was “deeply concerned” about a lack of readiness at the airline, which faced “unprecedented staffing and training shortages”.
“Although resignations include pilots from all demographics and across all ranks, they are particularly concentrated among the senior crew with decades of experience flying the airline’s network,” the association said. “Worryingly, our experienced pilots continue to resign at unprecedented rates, leaving a huge gap in the future operation of the airline.”
The criticism came after the government last month scrapped hotel quarantine for travellers and replaced it with a “0+3” system, where arrivals only undergo three days of medical surveillance at home or in a hotel. They are free to move about the city but are barred from visiting places such as restaurants and bars.