Cathay Pacific steps up medical surveillance measures for aircrew to safeguard the public health of Hong Kong

12 November 2021

All eligible aircrew will be required to receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

 

Cathay Pacific acknowledges that two of our freighter pilots tested positive for COVID-19 in Hong Kong after they operated a cargo flight from Frankfurt.  Fully recognizing the Hong Kong SAR Government’s mission to keep Hong Kong free from COVID-19, our aircrew are regularly reminded of the critical importance of complying with anti-pandemic measures both in Hong Kong and overseas.  We are conducting a thorough internal investigation into these cases to ensure we continue to operate with the highest degree of safety and compliance. Where improvements are necessary or compliance requirements are not being followed, we will take appropriate measures and actions in accordance with our company procedures.

 

As an immediate action, we will step up our compliance checks at overseas stations to ensure Cathay Pacific’s health and safety protocols are being strictly followed by aircrew during their layovers.

 

In Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific will continue to work closely with the Transport and Housing Bureau as well as the health authorities to reinforce public health protection. Specifically, we will issue further guidelines to strengthen the requirements over aircrew’s movements in the local community during their medical surveillance periods. We will also arrange our aircrew to undergo daily COVID-19 testing. Further details will be promulgated shortly. 

 

The safety and wellbeing of our customers, employees and the community are our absolute priorities.  We operate all our flights with fully vaccinated aircrew only.  Our crew self-isolate in their rooms within designated hotels during any layover in places outside of Hong Kong. They are tested frequently and in 2021 alone have undertaken over 170,000 COVID-19 tests in Hong Kong, including multiple tests after every flight. To further safeguard the public health of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific will be requiring all eligible aircrew to receive a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine.  All other Cathay Pacific employees will also be strongly encouraged to get the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as early as possible.

 

The past two years have been the most challenging for Cathay Pacific, its employees and for the entire aviation industry.  We are full of respect and admiration for the actions of all our employees and particularly our operational teams and aircrew, for their professionalism and compliance in upholding safe operations throughout the pandemic. As the home carrier of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific is fully committed to protecting and enhancing Hong Kong’s aviation hub status and to keep the flow of people and cargo between Hong Kong and the rest of the world moving despite the challenging circumstances presented by the pandemic.

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