Cathay Pacific: Unpaid Leave Offered Again! What's Happening?
Cathay Pacific Airways is offering its Hong Kong-based cabin crew a second round of voluntary unpaid leave for 2025. This marks the first time since the pandemic that the airline has offered back-to-back quarterly unpaid leave options.
According to an internal memo released on August 1, the scheme is voluntary and aims to provide crew members with greater flexibility, especially during the busy year-end holiday season. The leave period is scheduled from October to December 2025, following a similar program running from July to September of this year.
Voluntary Leave: A Balancing Act
A Cathay Pacific representative at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) confirmed that this arrangement isn't new. It's a long-standing option designed to help employees balance their personal needs with the airline's operational demands. Despite offering this leave, Cathay Pacific assures it's prepared to handle passenger demand during peak travel periods.
Fleet Expansion and Future Growth
Cathay Pacific is investing heavily in its fleet. Recent orders for 14 Boeing 777-9 aircraft push the airline's total planned investment above HK$100 billion, covering the purchase of 100 aircraft. This investment demonstrates the airline's commitment to long-term growth despite offering unpaid leave options.
Recruitment Stabilizing After Post-Pandemic Surge
Last year, Cathay Pacific added nearly 5,000 new cabin crew members worldwide, bringing its total workforce to over 30,000. Chairman Patrick Healy stated that the post-pandemic recruitment surge has stabilized, aligning with the airline's long-term growth objectives. Recruitment and training are now proceeding at more typical, historical levels.
Cathay Pacific has utilized unpaid leave schemes during significant economic downturns in the past, including 2020 during the height of the pandemic and 2009 during the global financial crisis. This current offering seems to be more about providing flexibility to employees rather than responding to a major crisis.