The union representing pilots at Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd (國泰航空), Hong Kong’s biggest carrier, recommended pilots accept a management pay offer, a union negotiator said yesterday.
John Findlay, assistant general secretary to the Aircrew Officers Association and a member of the union’s negotiating team, said the group advised Cathay’s about 2,500 pilots to vote in favor of an offer made by the airline on Friday.
“Actual discussions were held in a cordial manner,” Findlay said by telephone, without giving details on what the union was seeking or management’s proposal.
It could take between two to four weeks for pilots to vote on the offer, he said. Pay negotiations between Cathay and the union negotiators began on Dec. 13.
Cathay and unit Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd carried 8.7 percent more passengers last month, while cargo volumes rose 8.4 percent.
The carrier expects profit this year to more than double to at least HK$12.5 billion (US$1.6 billion), boosted by rebounding travel demand and the sale of stakes in an air-cargo handler and a maintenance company.
Cathay and its subsidiaries employ about 20,000 people in Hong Kong.
Separately, Cathay Pacific Airways has canceled all Hong Kong-bound flights from London because of heavy snow there, the airline said in a press release yesterday.
Four flights from London to Hong Kong, CX252, CX250, CX256 and CX254 were canceled yesterday as well as London-bound flights, CX255, CX257, CX253 and CX251, the statement said.
The airline said it will monitor conditions before deciding on whether further cancellations are required today.
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