Opinion

Cathay Pacific travel chaos shows need to revisit tourism recovery plans

The increasing competitiveness of other cities and countries is a warning to Hong Kong that it must do more than restore the pre-pandemic status quo if it wants tourism to thrive

That will require rethinking the assumptions guiding recovery plans and involving workers in discussions

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A Cathay Pacific staff member helps passengers check in for their flights at a kiosk at Hong Kong International Airport on January 12. Cathay passengers have expressed frustration with the airline after a series of flight cancellations that the airline blamed on a lack of staffing because of an influenza outbreak. Photo: Jonathan Wong

John Hanzhang Ye is a PhD student in science and technology history at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and also holds an MPhil degree in sociology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Published: 4:30pm, 16 Jan 2024Updated: 5:22pm, 16 Jan 2024

Hong Kong’s flagship carrier Cathay Pacific is cancelling an average of 12 flights per day until February to ensure normal operation for the Lunar New Year period. In early 2023, Cathay executives said the airline aimed to resume 70 per cent of its flight capacity by the end of the year and fully restore capacity by the end of 2024.

However, the recent surge in cancelled flights not only threatens Cathay’s 2024 flight capacity goal but has also sparked concern among Transport and Logistics Bureau officials and Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu. The bureau expressed concern over Cathay’s decision to combine flights and said it should promptly inform affected passengers of any changes. Meanwhile, Lee urged the airline to review its manpower and overall flight capacity to restore its competitiveness.

The Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association, which represents Cathay pilots, said in a statement that the shortage of senior pilots was the consequence of the company’s decision in 2020 to permanently reduce staff pay and fire experienced pilots and flight attendants.