Talks with pilots may take time, Cathay says

Cathay Pacific Airways has indicated it could extend negotiations with pilots to resolve a long-standing impasse over cutbacks – but would not say whether it would wait until next year. The airline’s chief Rupert Hogg said management and the pilot’s union had set a timetable to achieve a deal. Negotiations between pilots – who make up about 13% of employees – and the loss-making carrier over pay and changes to flying schedules have been going on for almost four years. The Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association (HKAOA), which represents most of Cathay’s 3,300 pilots, have been fighting for better working hours to reduce fatigue, while Cathay, looking to reduce HK$4b from its books by 2019, has been pushing for cuts that would amount to HK$1b. Talks stalled last November. “When we agreed to talk, we agreed that we’ll set ourselves a timetable and if we get to a certain point that we need some more time, we’ll take some more time,” Hogg said. Cathay Pacific is looking to reduce HK$4b from its books by 2019 and has been pushing for cutbacks to pilot benefits that would amount to HK$1b. There have been two more rounds of talks since the end of April, union sources said, but Hogg declined to say whether the airline would allow for talks to continue into next year out of respect for the ongoing discussions, he said.<br/>