First batch of Hong Kong Cathay Pacific pilots graduates from 75-week integrated training programme
- Nineteen men, two women completed the carrier’s inaugural programme split between Hong Kong, US and Australia
- ‘Promotion of the localisation of the aviation workforce is one of our major policy objectives,’ government official says
The 19 men and two women completed the airline’s inaugural integrated programme after about 75 weeks of training split between Cathay City’s simulators, Hong Kong Polytechnic University for theory, and flight practice in the United States and Australia.
Captain Chris Kempis, director of flight operations of Cathay Pacific, said they introduced the integrated pathway because of the “magnificent facilities and talent training” in Hong Kong.
“Why do all of our training outside when we have the expertise at the Hong Kong PolyU?” Kempis said, adding that institutions in the US and Australia continued to be important partners.
Running simultaneously with this new programme is the legacy cadet training programme, which is entirely conducted in Adelaide, Australia.
Attending the graduation ceremony, acting secretary for transport and logistics Liu Chun-san said this alternative mode of training could help attract new blood to the industry.