Cathay Pacific is aiming to return to a full flight schedule as soon as possible following the eleventh-hour resolution of a long-running pay dispute with its pilots.
Cathay's flights have been severely disrupted since 28 May by pilots calling in sick, citing excessive stress because of the dispute. Pilots had been given until 11 June to accept the airline's offer or voluntary redundancy.
Airline management reached agreement with pilots' representative the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association (AOA) on 10 June. Cathay management did not budge in its offer to A scale pilots, who face salary cuts averaging 7% for those based in Hong Kong and 18-22% for those outside Hong Kong in return for stock options.
B-scale second officers will receive salary increases of 3-4% over the next three years, and first officers will have increases of between 3% and 5%.
Separate agreements, to be discussed later this year, will cover roster practices and the crewing of freighter aircraft.
Cathay estimates the new package will produce savings of $1.4 billion over the next 10 years.
Source: Flight International
