Cathay Pacific cancelled a number of flights operating out of Johannesburg to recover from recent developments and impact of the coronavirus on global travel.
A news alert from Cathay Agents, the airline’s exclusive online portal for agents, gives details of a temporary schedule rationalization on outbound flights out of Johannesburg.
More details here.
Last updated February 7.
Cathay Pacific has confirmed that it is cutting capacity by 30% but says South African passengers will not be affected.
Media reports have suggested that the airline introduced cost-cutting measures to recover from financial losses in Hong Kong caused by ongoing civil unrest and the sudden outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
A statement from the airline appealed to employees to participate in an unpaid leave scheme that will run from March 1 until June 30. Chief executive, Augustus Tang, said the last time the company had offered an unpaid leave scheme was 2009, when demand plummeted due to the global financial crisis.
Cathay is also asking suppliers for price reductions, freezing new appointments, postponing major projects and stopping all non-critical spending, according to Sharenet.
When eTNW asked the airline to confirm the details of possible capacity cuts, Ashish Kapur, Cathay Pacific country head for Africa and the Indian Ocean, said it was reviewing changing business requirements to align with its capacity to fulfil it.
“However, for South Africa, there is no capacity reduction planned and we are operating as per schedule,” said Ashish.
