Cathay Pacific Airways plagued by flight disruptions

A series of flight cancellations around the end of last year by Cathay Pacific Airways has highlighted a serious staff shortage caused by overly reducing pilots and crews during the COVID pandemic. The cancellations have cast a shadow over the airline's reputation as a premium operator on the eve of the Lunar New Year travel season. "This incident has negatively impacted on our brand reputation and the confidence that Hong Kong people and our customers have in Cathay," said CEO Ronald Lam in an internal letter addressed to all employees on Wednesday, openly acknowledging the damage from the cancellations. He admitted this was a "setback," as the airline had "underestimated the need for reserve pilots to cover the increased sick rates during Hong Kong's seasonal flu peak." The company had to abruptly cancel about 70 flights to a wide range of destinations including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, mainland China and the Middle East during the Christmas and New Year holiday season due to staff shortages. It has decided to cut twelve flights per day on average until the end of February so as not to disrupt flights during the Lunar New Year travel peak between Feb. 7 and 18. The decision was criticized by the public and government officials. At his weekly news conference on Jan. 9, Hong Kong's CE John Lee said that his government is "very concerned" about the situation and urged Cathay to "ensure that the capacity is rebuilt as quickly as possible," as the cancellations have a potential impact on the city's status as a regional aviation hub. Cathay has been grappling with challenges arising from a shortage of pilots. This shortage is a result of pandemic-induced layoffs and pay reductions for remaining employees, and has led to the resignation of numerous pilots.<br/>