{"id":107697,"date":"2025-08-12T17:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=107697"},"modified":"2025-08-12T16:23:47","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T10:53:47","slug":"cathay-pacific-offers-voluntary-unpaid-leave-to-cabin-crew","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/12\/cathay-pacific-offers-voluntary-unpaid-leave-to-cabin-crew\/","title":{"rendered":"Cathay Pacific Offers More Voluntary Unpaid Leave to Cabin Crew After 5-Year Hiatus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HONG KONG\u2014<\/strong> Cathay Pacific Airways (CX)<\/a> is offering Hong Kong-based cabin crew a second round of voluntary three-month unpaid leave for 2025, marking the first back-to-back quarterly rollout of such leave since the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline announced the scheme in an internal memo on August 1, ahead of its half-year results, where it reported a modest 1.1% rise in net profit to HK$3.65 billion (US$465 million). The leave period will run from October to December 2025, following a similar scheme between July and September this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Cathay Pacific<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cathay Pacific Cabin Crew Leave<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to a copy of the memo seen by South China Morning Post<\/em> (SCMP), the initiative is entirely voluntary and aimed at giving crew greater flexibility, particularly during the year-end festive season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first round of unpaid leave for 2025 was announced in May and covered up to three months between July and September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)<\/a>-based Cathay Pacific confirmed that the arrangement is not new, describing it as a long-standing option to balance personal needs with operational requirements. The airline emphasised that despite the leave offer, it remains confident in meeting passenger demand during peak travel seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company has invested heavily in its fleet expansion, recently ordering 14 Boeing 777-9 aircraft. This pushes its total planned investment above HK$100 billion, covering the purchase of 100 aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cathay
Photo- Cathay Pacific<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recruitment and Operational Outlook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Last year, Cathay Pacific hired nearly 5,000 new cabin crew<\/strong> worldwide, bringing its total workforce to over 30,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chairman Patrick Healy told SCMP that the airline\u2019s post-pandemic recruitment surge has stabilised, aligning with long-term growth targets. Recruitment and training now continue at more typical historical levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline previously introduced unpaid leave schemes during major downturns, including in 2020 at the height of the pandemic and in 2009 during the global financial crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Normally, unpaid leave is limited to one month and subject to strict approval, but the current offer allows up to three months and appears more accessible to staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several cabin crew members have welcomed the scheme, seeing it as an opportunity to manage personal commitments or take extended holidays without jeopardising operational staffing levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Melv_L – MACASR – https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/54943237@N04\/33637427183\/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=81422463<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Market Pressures and Analyst Outlook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite resilient travel demand, Cathay Pacific faces challenges. An HSBC analyst report downgraded the carrier\u2019s stock from \u201chold\u201d to \u201creduce,\u201d forecasting a 9\u201312% drop in recurring profits by 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report cited lower yields from expanding long-haul routes, rising operating expenses, and cargo market headwinds due to trade tensions and increased capacity from resumed passenger flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cargo yields are expected to remain under pressure through the end of the year, particularly on Transpacific routes, where competition and available capacity are both increasing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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