Cathay cuts flight time needed to promote pilots

Cathay Pacific Airways slashed the number of flying hours needed to become a captain by 25%, people familiar with the matter say, as a pilot shortage contributes to mass flight cancellations and threatens to undermine the airline’s pandemic rebound. Pilots now must have a minimum of 3,000 hours of flying experience and 500 flights to be considered for promotion, according to an operational handbook that was updated on Jan 10. That’s down from 4,000 hours required previously. Candidates still need 1,500 hours on commercial jets, as well as training, and must meet other requirements as well. The move is intended to make the carrier more desirable to pilots and bolster its captain’s ranks, both gutted by Covid-related job losses. Subsequent pay cuts for the remaining pilots accelerated an exodus of cockpit crews. As a result, the airline has 48% fewer captains and first officers than before the pandemic, according to data from Cathay’s pilots union – a shortage that has triggered the current crisis over flight cancellations. The fallout has drawn fire from Hong Kong’s leader John Lee, and put Cathay CEO Ronald Lam under scrutiny for staffing decisions made before and during the pandemic. Cathay said the changes were approved by regulators and came into effect in November. Experience is only one factor, with performance determining who is selected for captain’s training.<br/>