Cathay Pacific's passenger traffic slips again in ‘extremely challenging’ November

Cathay Pacific reported a second consecutive month of traffic decline in November, as the embattled carrier continues to face “significant challenges” in its business. The airline flagged the emergence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, as well as the Hong Kong government’s move to tighten quarantine restrictions among its challenges as it heads into the year-end. Chief customer and commercial officer Ronald Lam says the Omicron variant “has had an impact on sentiment for travel over the holiday season”, and that tightened restrictions have affected the airline’s ability to operate flights as planned. The airline, which warned of a “substantial” full-year loss for 2021, has adjusted its year-end schedules to operate at only 12% of pre-pandemic levels. “We continue to closely monitor developments as we review our passenger flight schedule for January and beyond,” adds Lam. In November, the carrier carried slightly over 70,000 passengers, about 85% higher year on year, but a plunge of more than 97% compared to the same month in pre-pandemic 2019. <br/>