Hong Kong’s COVID-19 rules frustrate Cathay pilots

Friday, November 26, 2021

Hong Kong maintains a strict zero-COVID policy. Pilot resignations were raised in recent weeks in Cathay. Last week, three pilots were fired for leaving the hotel room on a layover. Cathay Pacific, one of Asia’s largest airlines faced a revolt from pilots who said Hong Kong’s tough quarantine rules under its zero-COVID policies are endangered their mental health, leading to rising stress and resignations.

Last week, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd fired three pilots who breached company rules by departing their hotel rooms during a layover in Frankfurt and tested positive for COVID-19 later on.

The Govt. responds by forcing more than 270 people, including school children connected to their families, into small quarters at a state quarantine camp. Some of the pilots declared themselves as unfit to fly, for their first rostered duties upon release.

The pilots expressed frustration with the ambiguity of some government-imposed pandemic-related rules. On Thursday, Cathay declared some inbound flights during the peak demand season of December to be cancelled, indicating a lack of volunteers.

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