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A Cathay Pacific pilots’ association said the airline remains very short of experienced pilots, and it will take at least three years to restore capacity to pre-pandemic levels.
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The Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association said in a statement released on Monday that experienced pilots from the airline continue to resign.
It said pilot numbers have increased by only 151 since January 2023, with as many as 1,300 Second Officers required to restore capacity to pre-pandemic levels.
The association noted that half the recruitment since October 2020 has been of Second Officers, with only 208 Captains and 5 First Officers added in 2023.
“Given the current rate of training and even allowing for a significant increase in training capacity, restoring capacity to pre-pandemic levels will take at least 3 years to complete, by which time even more capacity will be required for an expanded Hong Kong airport,” the statement read.
The association emphasized that the airline's only option is to attract back the experienced pilots who left the airline by improving the pay and taking a more serious approach to working together with pilots, as well as reinstating a mutually enforceable contract.
In response, Cathay rejected the union's claims on pilot shortage. It emphasized that the company has sufficient pilots, cabin crew, and operational staff to support the current flight operations – which has resumed to 70 percent of pre-Covid passenger capacity.
It stated that 260 pilots had rejoined the fleet, with around 70 of them being Captains.
(Updated 11.55 pm)
