As airlines are preparing for the resumption of normal operations in the future, Cathay Pacific has resumed hiring pilots after 18 months. The hiring is for future planning purposes and this is only limited for Hong Kong citizens. However, much of Cathay Pacific‘s aircraft are still on long term storage.
Cathay Pacific however made clear their purpose which is to “safeguard” the company’s position ahead of a recovery in international travel. This recruitment is open to first and second officers.
Unexpected of Cathay Pacific after being hit hard by the pandemic
Cathay Pacific was not only affected by the covid-19 pandemic. Prior to that, the Hong Kong protests had to force the temporary closure of Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok International Airport. During the pandemic, Hong Kong’s strict entry and quarantine requirements also forced Cathay Pacific to carry 99% less passengers than in 2019. However, hope seems to beam for the airline as air travel demand is slowly making a recovery.
In a recent news from SCMP, Chris Kempis, the airline’s director of flight operations, told staff: “As we look to the future it is critically important that we keep our crew resource levels right, plan appropriately for the recovery and future growth to our network, and look forward to increasing demand as we welcome back more of our customers.”
Cathay Pacific will focus on hiring local pilots
After Cathay Pacific retrenched pilots outside of Hong Kong, they decided to focus on just hiring pilots who are residents or are already based in Hong Kong. Just lately, 125 Australia-based pilots were informed that Cathay Pacific will no longer continue their tenure except for those who are eligible to work in Hong Kong. 130 pilots in Germany and Canada who are employed by Cathay were told of the redundancy in the past few months. Hanging by the cliff are 250 Cathay pilots hired in the United States, Great Britain, and in New Zealand.
For Cathay Pacific however, it would be a more sound decision if they are after streamlining operations. First, they need not pay for the lodging and other direct expenses for expat pilots. Second, the demand for pilots may still not be as high in which local talents may easily fill-in.
Before all the reductions, Cathay Pacific employed 3,150 pilots world wide and 2,600 in Hong Kong.
