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Hong Kong’s COVID-19 rules take mental toll on Cathay pilots -Breaking

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© Reuters. FILEPHOTO: Cathay Pacific planes parked on the runway at Hong Kong International Airport. Hong Kong (China), October 24, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File photo

By Jamie Freed

(Reuters] – Cathay Pacific, Asia’s biggest airline, faces a rebellion from pilots. They claim Hong Kong’s strict quarantine regulations under its zero COVID policies endangering their mental well-being, leading to higher stress and resignations.

Cathay Pacific Airways (OTC:) Ltd last week fired https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/cathay-pacific-fires-3-pilots-infected-with-covid-19-layover-scmp-2021-11-18 three pilots who breached company rules by leaving their hotel rooms during a layover in Frankfurt and later tested positive for COVID-19.

The government responded by forcing more than 270 people, including school children linked to their families, into tiny quarters at a state quarantine camp https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-hongkong-families-idUSKBN2B711T.

Some pilots declared themselves unfit to fly https://www.instagram.com/p/CWr6BPRh8N9 for their first rostered duties upon release.

Cathay’s pilots are subject to extreme pandemic-related measures under China’s zero COVID policy. This highlights the hard working conditions they face, as all of them have been fully vaccinated even though other Asian countries are slowly opening their skies.

Cathay’s rivals, Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd and Cathay have already begun to unwind strict layover rules. But the Hong Kong government has tightened the rules to make it easier for Beijing to accept cross-border travel.

    “I don’t think I can keep this up,” one Cathay pilot who spoke on condition of anonymity told Reuters. The stress of possible quarantine for my friends and family is taking a toll.

Several other current and recently departed Cathay pilots told Reuters morale was low and resignations were rising a year after many had their pay permanently cut https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cathay-pacific-layoffs-idUSKBN2780L0 by as much as 58%.

The industry is notorious for extreme stress. Any sign of mental illness can hinder your chances of getting another job.

What’s the danger if they say I’m stressed? One pilot had been trapped in Hong Kong for more than 200 nights since the outbreak of the pandemic. What does that mean for my health? Then you go and leave. They ask if you have ever been held down for psychological reasons.

Pilots expressed dissatisfaction with some of the pandemic-related regulations imposed by government. For example, pilots are asked to refrain from “unnecessary contact with social groups” for three weeks upon their return to Hong Kong. However, they do not get any time off.

Cathay confirmed to Reuters, in a statement, that there have been more resignations than normal for pilots since October.

According to the airline, “Regrettably,” the Frankfurt incident had affected the current mood.

TOUGH ROSTERS

Hong Kong considers many places, such as the United States or Britain, “high-risk” and Cathay pilots that fly to these destinations must be subject to two weeks hotel quarantine.

Cathay began running closed-loop rosters to staff these flights on a voluntary basis. In February, five weeks of consecutive time were spent in hotels with no fresh air or access to a gym. Then two weeks at home.

One pilot recently retired said, “I did it in order to make some money. The 50% cut (last year), made life more difficult.” He also did two closed loops. People are in the 5th, 6th and 6th close loops.

Cathay stated that Thursday’s cancellation of some inbound flights from December peak demand would result in a dearth of volunteers.

According to the airline, it recognized that pilots are under strain and offered extended leave of absence and a network for peer assistance.

LEAVE HONG KONG

According to Reuters, Cathay pilots are being sought out by other airlines, including Atlas Air, a U.S.-based cargo carrier, and Emirates (NASDAQ:). Worldwide Holdings Inc.

Emirates has not commented on its recruitment drive for 600 pilots. Atlas (NYSE:), did not reply to our request for comment.

Reuters interviewed pilots who said that they expect more resignations when schooling and transitional housing benefits expire next year.

Cathay claimed it would hire “several thousand” pilots, and relaunch its cadet program within the following year.

FedEx Corp (NYSE 🙂 closed its Hong Kong pilot base last week due to strict regulations. This demonstrates the declining appeal of Hong Kong as a logistics hub.

FedEx Pilot who just left Hong Kong, said: “I truly, deeply feel for those that are at Cathay.” “I’m genuinely worried about their mental and physical health.”

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