Cathay dispute still affecting cargo, passenger traffic

Cathay Pacific Airways pilots continue to working to rule over demands for pay hikes of up to 32%. since early July, the airline has been experiencing labour disruption, and was forced to cancel flights for several days in a row last week as pilots called in sick.

The dispute has affected the airline’s traffic, with a 22% decline in passengers and a 23% drop in cargo in July.

For the first seven months of the year total passenger numbers fell 1.5% and freight was down 8%, reflecting the weak air cargo market.

There is a possibility the pilots’ work to rule action will be intensified when the Aircrew Officers Assn., which represents about 1,300 of the carrier’s 1,500 pilots, meets today.