Cathay defends firings, renews Air China pact

Cathay Pacific is “duty-bound” to comply with regulations from the countries it operates from, including having to submit the names of personnel for China-bound flights. Cathay’s director of public affairs James Tong says: “Full compliance with all regulations is a pre-requisite for the airline’s continued operations, and we are obliged to adhere to them.” The CAAC has banned any Cathay staff linked to anti-govt protests from operating flights into the mainland and over its airspace. It has also asked Cathay to submit lists of staff on China-bound flights, or risk being barred from operating to China. On this, Tong reiterates that Cathay has to “adhere to all of our regulatory duties, including those prescribed by the authorities in mainland China. The “airline must do this; there is no ground for compromise,” he adds. <br/>