Cathay offers pilots up to $93,000 allowances to stem exodus

Cathay Pacific Airways will alter monthly allowances and other perks for pilots as it tries to stem a wave of resignations among crew frustrated by the impact of Hong Kong’s Covid-19 policies on their lives. The changes depend on pilot ranking and come on top of base salaries and hourly flying rates. From next year, the most senior captains will get a monthly allowance of HK$36,000 ($4,590), amounting to HK$432,000 annually, up from HK$396,000 now, according to a memo to staff. Cathay is also allotting HK$100,000 per child for annual school fees, for up to three children, according to the memo sent Wednesday. That applies for schools in Hong Kong and overseas and represents a HK$40,000 and HK$20,000 increase for second and first officers, respectively, but no change for captains. Covid has hit Cathay harder than most airlines as Hong Kong adopted a virus containment strategy that has all-but dried up travel in and out of the city. <br/>