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Cathay Pacific said Thursday that a majority of pilots and flight attendants had signed new contracts that will result in permanent pay cuts. Cathay last week announced plans to cut 5,900 jobs to help it weather the pandemic, including nearly all of the positions at its regional airline Cathay Dragon, which it has shut down. It is also seeking changes to contracts with pilots and cabin crew as part of a restructuring that would cost HK$2.2b. “We are very grateful that a majority of our pilots and cabin crew have already signed up to the new conditions of service,” the airline said. “We would like each and every one of our pilots and cabin crew to join us and be part of Cathay Pacific’s future.” The employees have until Nov. 4 to sign new contracts but they will receive one year of transitional benefits like housing allowances for pilots rather than the two years offered for those that signed up by Wednesday evening. The airline has told them if they do not agree to the new contracts by next week, they face termination, according to unions representing pilots and flight attendants. The pilot contracts, which are broadly in line with those given to new hires since 2018, will result in permanent salary reductions of up to 58%, the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association said Tuesday.<br/>

Katie Hopkins reportedly caused distress among fellow passengers onboard a transatlantic flight after she was seen without a face mask. The controversial rightwing commentator boarded the British Airways flight from LAX to London on Monday afternoon without a covering on her face. She was also pictured in Heathrow airport without a mask. One of Hopkins’ fellow passengers said: “She went through the whole flight without wearing a mask. It was ridiculous and not a flight you wanted to be on. She didn’t wear a mask on the flight and wandered through Heathrow without one on as well.” Face coverings are mandatory both onboard flights and inside airports. A spokesperson for BA said: “All customers and British Airways staff members are required to wear a mask throughout their journey, unless they meet the government’s exemption requirements, as stated on ba.com. This is to ensure the wellbeing of their fellow travellers and the airline’s staff members. ​” Hopkins, 45, was returning from the US after appearing at pro-Trump presidential election rallies. Before she was permanently banned from Twitter for violating the platform’s policy on “hateful conduct” in June, Hopkins tweeted that the public was “being played” when they were told to wear face coverings.<br/>