Hong Kong Airlines to slash hundreds more jobs, focus on cargo in bid to survive pandemic

Hong Kong Airlines is preparing to cut hundreds of more jobs and temporarily carry only cargo on its passenger planes under its latest pandemic-survival plan, the Post has learned. The new blueprint drawn up by the embattled all-Airbus airline calls for grounding its entire fleet of A320s with only eight A330 jets flying in the interim and prioritising cargo over passengers, according to two sources familiar with the plan. Once positioned to challenge Cathay Pacific, the airline has long been in the grips of a cash crisis that has engulfed both the company and its controlling shareholder, the now-bankrupt mainland China conglomerate HNA Group. The fresh cuts represent a further blow for anxious and weary staff, who have endured pay reductions of up to 60% during the Covid-19 crisis. In December last year, the carrier cut 250 flight attendant jobs after culling 400 across various departments in February. This April, it offered exit packages to pilots, warning there was no guarantee their work visas would be renewed. About 120 pilots were expected to be retained to operate revenue-generating air freight flights, sources said. At the airline’s peak, it employed about 650 pilots. It is unclear how many flight attendants will be retained or how consequential the impact of downsizing will be on ground and office staff, and associated businesses.<br/>