Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific cancels another 28 flights, blaming ‘higher than expected pilot absence’ due to seasonal illness

Post search finds 28 flights between Hong Kong and six cities – Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei, Dubai, Delhi and Dhaka – have been cancelled between Tuesday and Saturday

Cathay says it chose to ‘proactively cancel a small number of flights in order to ensure the successful delivery’ of overall services

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Cathay Pacific Airways has cancelled dozens of flights recently. Photo: Elson Li

Published: 10:39pm, 1 Jan 2024Updated: 11:28pm, 1 Jan 2024

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has called off another 28 flights this week, with at least one travel agency saying earlier disruptions delayed the return home of some customers.

The airline, which had called off at least 40 other flights since Christmas Eve, on Monday said the cancellations were again related to “higher than expected pilot absence caused by seasonal illness on certain days”.

“Our operations remain normal overall, with a marked increase in the number of flights operated over the holiday peak season,” Cathay Pacific said.

A Post search on Monday night found that 28 flights between Hong Kong and six cities – Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei, Dubai, Delhi and Dhaka – had been cancelled over the next five days.

Cathay cancelled a number of flights in the run-up to New Year’s Eve. Photo: Dickson Lee

Cathay cancelled at least 16 flights, including long-haul ones to London and Amsterdam, over the Christmas holiday.