Cathay Pacific Orders Staff to Take Unpaid Leave as Flight Cuts Bite
Airline Faces Turbulent Times
Cathay Pacific has thrown its entire workforce into uncertainty, asking all employees to take up to three weeks of unpaid leave. CEO Augustus Tang revealed the grim news on Wednesday following a drastic move to slash about 30% of flight capacity over the next two months.
Massive Flight Reductions Hit Mainland China
The airline plans to axe approximately 90% of its flights to mainland China, a blow that highlights just how severe the impact of the ongoing virus outbreak is on the carrier’s operations. This follows a brutal year marked by protests and political turmoil in Hong Kong that already battered Cathay Pacific.
Staff Squeezed Amid Crisis
In a stark video address to 27,000 employees, Tang said staff would be required to take unpaid leave between March and June as the airline fights to stay afloat. The move underscores how hard-hit the aviation giant is as it battles an unprecedented crisis.
