Cathay Pacific Boosts Workforce by 5,000 Amid Flight Disruptions

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways has announced a significant expansion plan for its workforce, aiming to hire around 5,000 new employees in 2024. This decision comes in the wake of recent operational challenges, including the disruption of over 80 flights during the busy New Year holiday period.

The airline, which had to let go of more than 8,000 employees during the pandemic, has retained just over half of its pre-crisis pilot workforce. The recent cancellations, attributed partly to seasonal illnesses among pilots, spotlighted the need for bolstering staff numbers to ensure operational stability.

Cathay Pacific's move to increase its workforce is a part of its broader rebuilding strategy, which started taking shape in 2022. The airline plans to welcome thousands of new employees, including cabin crew and cadet pilots, to support its operations and service quality. Notably, this recruitment drive includes reaching out to nearly 2,000 former employees, inviting them to rejoin the group.

In addition to its personnel expansion, Cathay Pacific is addressing pilot shortages by planning to recruit over 800 cadet pilots in 2023 and 2024. This includes, for the first time, hiring cadet pilots from the Chinese Mainland. These steps are critical for the airline to rebuild its pre-pandemic passenger flight operations fully.

Paul Weatherlit, Chairman of Cathay’s pilot union, the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers, emphasized the acute need for fully qualified experienced pilots. As of December 2023, the airline employed only 52% of the Captains and First Officers it had before the pandemic, highlighting the challenge Cathay faces in its rebuilding efforts.

This recruitment initiative is not just about numbers; it's about Cathay Pacific's commitment to restoring its services to their former glory. The airline's efforts to recruit and train new staff, along with the reintegration of former employees, underline its dedication to providing stable and high-quality travel experiences for its customers.

In the context of the travel industry's ongoing recovery from the pandemic, Cathay Pacific's proactive steps are a significant development. These measures not only aim to address immediate operational challenges but also reflect the airline's long-term vision for growth and excellence in the competitive aviation sector.