Cathay Pacific sends in high-flyer with hopes of reviving talks with restive pilots
Cathay Pacific Airways has parachuted one of its star performers – a man barely halfway through leading its company restructure – into a new role tackling an issue central to the loss-making airline’s return to profitability: disgruntled pilots. Strategic transformation head Alex McGowan is the new GM for aircrew, sources said. McGowan had lately been in charge of turning around Hong Kong’s flagship carrier, including overseeing 600 job cuts earlier last year. His main task will be to give the airline’s talks with pilots another shot. They stalled last November over disagreements on pay, benefits and changes to flying schedules. To shave HK$4b from its books by next year, Cathay Pacific has been pushing for savings on aircrew costs of up to HK$1b. Insiders say McGowan is well liked by staff and is credited with getting the job done and delivering on big projects. In his transformation role, he reported directly to CEO Rupert Hogg. He has been in the industry for more than two decades and held a string of roles in commercial and marketing divisions, previously working for BA.<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2018-07-19/oneworld/cathay-pacific-sends-in-high-flyer-with-hopes-of-reviving-talks-with-restive-pilots
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Cathay Pacific sends in high-flyer with hopes of reviving talks with restive pilots
Cathay Pacific Airways has parachuted one of its star performers – a man barely halfway through leading its company restructure – into a new role tackling an issue central to the loss-making airline’s return to profitability: disgruntled pilots. Strategic transformation head Alex McGowan is the new GM for aircrew, sources said. McGowan had lately been in charge of turning around Hong Kong’s flagship carrier, including overseeing 600 job cuts earlier last year. His main task will be to give the airline’s talks with pilots another shot. They stalled last November over disagreements on pay, benefits and changes to flying schedules. To shave HK$4b from its books by next year, Cathay Pacific has been pushing for savings on aircrew costs of up to HK$1b. Insiders say McGowan is well liked by staff and is credited with getting the job done and delivering on big projects. In his transformation role, he reported directly to CEO Rupert Hogg. He has been in the industry for more than two decades and held a string of roles in commercial and marketing divisions, previously working for BA.<br/>
