Latest news with #CathayPacific
RTHK
a day ago
- Business
- RTHK
Cathay looks to hire more pilots for 'steady' growth
Cathay looks to hire more pilots for 'steady' growth Cathay's director of flight operations Chris Kempis (centre) says the airline may expand its cadet training programme to recruit trainees from outside the country. Photo: RTHK Hong Kong's flagship carrier on Monday vowed to recruit more pilots to join its workforce, as the first batch of 30 cadets from the mainland finished training and started operating flights. Cathay Pacific had welcomed a total of 60 mainland cadets to its pilot training programme from more than 750 applicants since the scheme's expansion in 2023. The scheme, which also trained a record high of more than 1,100 local cadets, takes aspiring pilots through training in Hong Kong, the United States and Australia. Chris Kempis, the airline's director of flight operations, was hopeful of bringing in more pilots. "The rate of training and the number of cadets we've had since the end of the pandemic has been a record... We want to build a more steady state of growth as we go from 2025 towards 2030," Kempis said. "But the opportunities presented by the strong hub created here in Hong Kong as Hong Kong Airport grows and the three-runway system gains full efficiency give us a real opportunity for growth, and the availability of pilots both from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world will be the mainstay going forward." Kempis also said Cathay might expand the programme to recruit trainees from outside the country, targetting those who are familiar with Hong Kong and those coming from top universities. Among the new pilots is Robert Sun from northern China, who once worked as a mechanic for Cathay in Beijing. "I really enjoyed that big blend pot for different cultures around the world. You get to meet different people from different areas, and you get to learn their culture. I think that's really exciting," Sun said. "Anytime I have any questions, there will be other Hong Kong locals or people living in Hong Kong for a long time, they'll be more than happy to give me advice and help me with whatever issue I have."
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific to step up hiring more pilots from mainland China
Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways will recruit more pilots from mainland China to diversify its workforce after the first batch of 30 cadets from across the border finished training and started flying. Advertisement Chris Kempis, the airline's director of flight operations, said on Monday that 60 mainland cadets from a pool of more than 750 applicants had entered its pilot programme since its expansion in 2023. Among the first group of mainland recruits, 30 have already qualified as second officers after completing training in Australia. Other cadets are currently undergoing training in the United States. 'We are open to many more [cadets] in the future, and we look forward to that,' Kempis said, highlighting the cadet scheme's ongoing role as a key source of pilots. He said that the programme had trained more than 1,100 pilots since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Advertisement Cathay currently employs 3,200 pilots, a 23 per cent jump from 2,600 in February, which is more than what it immediately needed, Kempis said. He said the group had more than 500 pilots with its budget carrier HK Express.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific to step up hiring more pilots from mainland China
Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways will recruit more pilots from mainland China to diversify its workforce after the first batch of 30 cadets from across the border finished training and started flying. Chris Kempis, the airline's director of flight operations, said on Monday that 60 mainland cadets from a pool of more than 750 applicants had entered its pilot programme since its expansion in 2023. Among the first group of mainland recruits, 30 have already qualified as second officers after completing training in Australia. Other cadets are currently undergoing training in the United States. 'We are open to many more [cadets] in the future, and we look forward to that,' Kempis said, highlighting the cadet scheme's ongoing role as a key source of pilots. He said that the programme had trained more than 1,100 pilots since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Cathay currently employs 3,200 pilots, a 23 per cent jump from 2,600 in February, which is more than what it immediately needed, Kempis said. He said the group had more than 500 pilots with its budget carrier HK Express.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Why this economy cabin feels surprisingly luxe on the long haul to Hong Kong
Flying to the US via Hong Kong might not seem like an obvious choice, but it does offer the opportunity to break up the journey in one of my favourite cities. With Cathay Pacific awarded world's best economy cabin and best in-flight entertainment at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, it's an excellent choice, whether you're heading to North America, Europe or Asia.
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Open-air jet repair exposes Kathmandu airport's limitations
KATHMANDU: In a rare and rather dramatic sight for many at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the open-air engine replacement of a wide-body aircraft of Hong Kong's flag carrier Cathay Pacific is captivating aviation enthusiasts, airport workers and travelers alike. For nearly two weeks, a Cathay Pacific Airbus A330 bearing the call sign 'Bravo-Lima Bravo Hotel' has been grounded at the TIA. Work of detaching its left engine has been completed in front of Nepal Airlines' maintenance hangar. The massive engine, weighing about 12 tonnes, had to be replaced after an unexpected malfunction during a routine departure to Hong Kong. On the night of July 11, the aircraft, carrying 310 passengers, had completed all pre-flight procedures and was being pushed back from the apron towards the taxiway. As the pilots powered both engines to move towards the runway, the left engine suddenly malfunctioned, forcing the crew to abort the takeoff. 'There was no prior report of engine trouble when the aircraft landed in Kathmandu from Hong Kong earlier that evening. The pilot reported the issue just before entering the runway and sought permission to return the aircraft to the apron,' said a senior air traffic controller at the TIA. Cathay Pacific sources confirmed the failure was entirely unexpected and it had not been flagged during previous servicing. The engineer on board attempted minor repairs but deemed the issue too complex. The captain recorded the engine problem in the aircraft logbook, and the plane was officially declared grounded. The passengers were deboarded and alternative travel arrangements began. With no immediate aircraft available to replace the grounded flight, Cathay Pacific arranged accommodation for passengers at Radisson Hotel in Lazimpat and at Soaltee Hotel in Kalimati. The 12-member crew, who were scheduled to rest at the Hyatt Hotel in Bauddha, also had to stay with passengers in Radisson due to room unavailability. Most of the stranded passengers were flown to Hong Kong over the next two days via scheduled and special ferry flights. On July 13, Cathay Pacific operated a dedicated ferry flight to accommodate remaining travelers. After nearly two weeks, on July 24, Cathay Pacific flew in a spare engine using one of its Boeing 747-400 cargo aircraft. The 747-400 is one of only six such cargo planes in Cathay's 179-aircraft fleet and is slightly smaller than the airline's larger 747-800 series. Kathmandu's airport cannot accommodate the newer 747-800 cargo jets due to limited parking space, making the older 747-400 a more feasible option. 'This particular cargo aircraft had been scheduled to transport electronics, garments, pharmaceuticals and machinery to destinations like New York, Milan and Toronto,' said a source familiar with the operation. 'Cathay Pacific rearranged its fleet to divert this aircraft to Kathmandu with the 12-tonne replacement engine on board.' Once delivered, Cathay's technical team began the engine replacement in front of Nepal Airlines' hangar. The removed engine, still considered airworthy, was sent back to Hong Kong on July 25 for maintenance at Cathay's state-of-the-art maintenance facility. The engine, a Rolls-Royce Trent model, is expected to be repaired and returned to service. The incident highlighted significant logistical challenges at Tribhuvan International Airport. The grounded wide-body jet occupied valuable parking space for 14 days, causing congestion and delays for other aircraft. Airport authorities tried to move the aircraft to various remote parking zones, including near the Nepal Oil Corporation depot and the northeastern apron area. However, Cathay Pacific declined these requests, opting instead to pay full parking fees to keep the aircraft on the main apron. 'After Cathay's cargo aircraft arrived carrying the spare engine, their grounded wide-body plane was moved in front of the Nepal Airlines hangar. The Nepal Airlines aircraft previously parked there was shifted to the parking space where the Cathay aircraft had been stationed,' said Hanshraj Pandey, general manager of Kathmandu Airport. Airport authorities did not allow Cathay Pacific to replace the engine at its original parking spot. This episode has stressed the urgent need for an international-standard hangar facility in Nepal for large aircraft maintenance. Due to the absence of such infrastructure, Cathay Pacific could not obtain approval to conduct a full engine overhaul in Kathmandu. Instead, technicians were allowed only to perform the basic installation under open skies—an operation rarely permitted, especially during monsoon. Aviation experts recall a similar incident before the Covid-19 pandemic, when an Etihad Airways aircraft remained grounded for several days after an engine issue. Although there are a few small workshops for foreign Maintenance, Repair and Operations within the seven-decade old Tribhuvan International Airport compound, they are primarily limited to light servicing. Spare parts and essential tools for wide-body aircraft are almost entirely absent in Nepal, leaving airlines with little choice but to fly in parts and equipment when technical emergencies arise. - The Kathmandu Post/ANN
