“Permanent quarantine” is how flight crew at Hong Kong’s flag carrier airline describe their current situation. As the Omicron variant spreads, the city’s government has reinstated strict air crew quarantine requirements. The effects of the rules will reach much further than the lifestyles of Cathay Pacific’s pilots and flight attendants.
After Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam reimposed some of the most extreme restrictions this week, Cathay has cancelled most of its planned passenger and cargo flights for this month. This has implications for Hong Kong’s economy and global supply chains, not just the airline.
Its shares have descended 15 per cent over the past two months. Any pessimism is understandable. Political risks remain high. Lam has ordered a probe into Cathay in connection with crew violations of pandemic regulations and warned of possible legal action.