The carrier aims to stay ahead of recovery
More than a year into the pandemic, Cathay Pacific is now signalling plans to jumpstart its recovery by once again hiring pilots based in Hong Kong. The recruitment drive began last week, with the carrier looking to benefit from the resurgence of global travel post COVID-19. While the number of pilots to be enlisted remains uncertain, “reviewing our crewing requirements is an ongoing process,” a Cathay representative said.
Read more: Cathay Pacific to slash 6,000 jobs amid crisis
Chris Kempis, one of the company’s leaders, remains hopeful. “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,” said Kempis, Cathay’s director of flight operations.
“Recruitment at this stage is about forward planning and as we move through the summer, we are already seeing small, but definite growth in our passenger schedules,” Kempis said. The company also said it has “determined that now is the time to recommence our recruitment and training activities.”
Read more: Cathay Pacific rejects additional wage relief support
Like other carriers affected by the global crisis, Cathay faced no other option but to cut staff. In 2020, the company shed 5,900 jobs and shuttered its subsidiary Cathay Dragon. The company has been cautious about maintaining the right size of workforce, limiting the number of crew hired from outside Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post reported.
International crew members who are permitted to work in Hong Kong can make the transition and work out of Hong Kong instead. However, those unable to relocate will be retrenched. News of the impending job cuts among pilots first hit Canada, Germany and Australia. At present, the fate of more than 250 pilots in New Zealand, the US and UK will still be decided.
