Cathay Pacific pilots’ salaries to be pegged closer to hours flown

Cathay Pacific is to revamp its pay and perks package for new pilots, offering salaries pegged closer to productivity so those who fly more will take home more. According to an internal memo, up to 30% of a pilot’s salary will be variable and tied to the number of hours flown, starting from Dec 1. The current variable portion is only 10%. The change creates “a close link between hours flown and take-home pay”, said the memo from the director in charge of flight operations, Chris Kempis. At present, the airline pays pilots regardless of hours clocked and some have been known to fly 50 to 150 hours less than the company’s maximum 900 hours per year. Kempis said the changes would help support the long-term viability of the Cathay Group. <br/>