Controversy over free ‘nowhere’ flight in Hong Kong amid looming Cathay Pacific job cuts, environmental backlash
A “flight to nowhere” for lifestyle bloggers and influencers arranged free of charge by the low-cost sister airline of Cathay Pacific has drawn criticism amid looming job cuts at Hong Kong’s flag carrier and growing environmental unease over the global trend for the aerial jaunts. HK Express said Thursday’s preview flight would allow key drivers of public opinion to experience the joy of flying again – following months of pandemic-related restrictions largely grounding services – before the opportunity was extended to the general public. The budget airline revealed last week it was offering three 90-minute “nowhere” commercial flights in early November. All 360 tickets put on sale last Friday were sold out in 90 minutes. The HK Express move has been panned by some working for its parent company, Cathay Pacific, which is in the limelight ahead of an expected announcement of massive job cuts. A Cathay insider said: “What value and what gain can you make from operating these nowhere flights, especially when you’re not in a stable financial situation? What are you trying to generate when business isn’t coming back?” HK Express said that Thursday’s flight was a preview for the commercial ones, which would allow people “to rediscover the joy of flying”. Members of the public pay as little as HK$388 (US$44) for the flight, during which social-distancing rules are observed, while the influencers taking part are not charged. But the ticket revenue would need to cover the costs of running all four flights. HK Express declined to comment on the cost of operating the four flights without in-flight meals, or the revenue it would generate. The airline reiterated its green credentials, adding it would fully offset its carbon emissions. An equivalent 90-minute flight, from Hong Kong to Kaohsiung, emits 0.06 tonnes of carbon dioxide, according to Cathay, but it is unclear if that calculation is based on a narrowbody or larger twin-aisle jet, or whether the plane is full or not.<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2020-10-15/oneworld/controversy-over-free-2018nowhere2019-flight-in-hong-kong-amid-looming-cathay-pacific-job-cuts-environmental-backlash
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/logo.png
Controversy over free ‘nowhere’ flight in Hong Kong amid looming Cathay Pacific job cuts, environmental backlash
A “flight to nowhere” for lifestyle bloggers and influencers arranged free of charge by the low-cost sister airline of Cathay Pacific has drawn criticism amid looming job cuts at Hong Kong’s flag carrier and growing environmental unease over the global trend for the aerial jaunts. HK Express said Thursday’s preview flight would allow key drivers of public opinion to experience the joy of flying again – following months of pandemic-related restrictions largely grounding services – before the opportunity was extended to the general public. The budget airline revealed last week it was offering three 90-minute “nowhere” commercial flights in early November. All 360 tickets put on sale last Friday were sold out in 90 minutes. The HK Express move has been panned by some working for its parent company, Cathay Pacific, which is in the limelight ahead of an expected announcement of massive job cuts. A Cathay insider said: “What value and what gain can you make from operating these nowhere flights, especially when you’re not in a stable financial situation? What are you trying to generate when business isn’t coming back?” HK Express said that Thursday’s flight was a preview for the commercial ones, which would allow people “to rediscover the joy of flying”. Members of the public pay as little as HK$388 (US$44) for the flight, during which social-distancing rules are observed, while the influencers taking part are not charged. But the ticket revenue would need to cover the costs of running all four flights. HK Express declined to comment on the cost of operating the four flights without in-flight meals, or the revenue it would generate. The airline reiterated its green credentials, adding it would fully offset its carbon emissions. An equivalent 90-minute flight, from Hong Kong to Kaohsiung, emits 0.06 tonnes of carbon dioxide, according to Cathay, but it is unclear if that calculation is based on a narrowbody or larger twin-aisle jet, or whether the plane is full or not.<br/>
