Cathay Pacific is facing staff shortages after losing thousands of captains and first officers, HK union claims

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, and it is reportedly facing major staff shortages, which have never happened in a really long time. With the situation, the airline may not be able to handle the surging travel demand as the city re-opens for international visitors following the government’s move to lift the COVID-19 restrictions.

As per CNN Business, the staff shortage at Cathay Pacific was suggested by a top union in the country. The group claimed last week that the airline lost many pilots and other staff.

The union said that there was “a record number of resignations from the company’s most experienced pilots” and further added that Cathay lost more than 40% of its captains and first officers.

The Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association (HKAOA) issued a statement saying that Cathay Pacific is not prepared to reclaim its position as a leader in the industry, thus “threatening the status of Hong Kong as a global aviation hub.”

The group further said that it is not yet ready to resume full operations, and coupled with staff shortage, it is failing to meet the new demands for travel as the market starts to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels.

The HKAOA also claimed that the resignations of the pilots, captains, and first officers were due to the failed pay negotiations and working conditions. Moreover, after being pounded by the pandemic, Cathay Pacific was said to have also fought with collapsing morale which has also contributed to the increase in resignations.

Frustrations among the employees also mounted due to the exhausting quarantine measures in Hong Kong that were dubbed as the strictest in the world. But this month, the country finally ended its quarantine regulations after two and a half years which resulted in the soaring demand for both outbound and inbound trips.

Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific refuted the claims that it is currently experiencing a pilot shortage. The company also rejected the union’s statements that it is not prepared to fully resume its service, RTHK News reported.

"Cathay Pacific has sufficient qualified and experienced aviation professionals to continue to support the current operation and operate at the highest levels of safety and customer service,” Cathay Pacific told RTHK.