https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3246919/hong-kongs-cathay-pacific-cancels-another-28-flights-carrier-blaming-higher-expected-pilot-absence
Cathay Pacific Airways has cancelled dozens of flights recently. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has called off another 28 flights this week, with at least one travel agency saying earlier disruptions delayed the return home of some customers.
The airline, which had called off at least 40 other flights since Christmas Eve, on Monday said the cancellations were again related to “higher than expected pilot absence caused by seasonal illness on certain days”.
“Our operations remain normal overall, with a marked increase in the number of flights operated over the holiday peak season,” Cathay Pacific said.
A Post search on Monday night found that 28 flights between Hong Kong and six cities – Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei, Dubai, Delhi and Dhaka – had been cancelled over the next five days.
Cathay cancelled a number of flights in the run-up to New Year’s Eve. Photo: Dickson Lee
Cathay cancelled at least 16 flights, including long-haul ones to London and Amsterdam, over the Christmas holiday.
Subsequently, an additional 28 were called off in the run-up to New Year’s Eve. It said pilots taking sick leave was one of the reasons for last week’s cancellations.
“We have chosen to proactively cancel a small number of flights in order to ensure the successful delivery of our overall services,” the airline said on Monday.
The number of cancellations since mid-December was less than 1 per cent of all passenger flights operated, Cathay said, while apologising to passengers affected.
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