Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong pilots weigh Los Angeles move as airline looks to ease burden of coronavirus quarantine rules
- Embattled flag carrier asks for volunteers for four-month stints in California as it struggles to stem flight cancellations, pilot resignations
- The airline last month began sounding out demoralised aircrew about the possibility of being based out of Dubai or the United States
“The purpose of the trial is to test the many logistical and operational aspects required for this type of rostering under the current operating environment,” Cathay general manager for aircrew Deborah McConnochie said in a memo.
Since February, the airline’s flight operations have been hindered by strict quarantine rules for aircrew, who say the rules are psychologically challenging given the repeated cycles of hotel isolation and frequent Covid-19 testing.
Arriving aircrew must quarantine for up to 14 days – compared with 21 for many other travellers. But when flying abroad, the airline staff cannot leave their hotel room and are subject to more frequent Covid-19 screening, with daily tests recently mandated for the first week after returning.
Boeing 777 pilots will fly cargo-only passenger flights on mainly the Los Angeles route to start.
“A successful trial may also enable TERPs to be launched in other locations and for other fleets,” McConnochie said.
