From Cathay to National Decline: The Fall of Cathay Pacific

From Cathay to National Decline: The Fall of Cathay PacificIn the ever-changing landscape of the aviation industry, Cathay Pacific was once the pride of Hong Kong's skies. However, this once-dominant airline has stumbled into its current predicament due to a series of events

From Cathay to National Decline: The Fall of Cathay Pacific

In the ever-changing landscape of the aviation industry, Cathay Pacific was once the pride of Hong Kong's skies. However, this once-dominant airline has stumbled into its current predicament due to a series of events. From employee strikes supporting Hong Kong independence to discrimination against non-English speaking passengers, Cathay Pacific's image has gradually crumbled in the eyes of the public, leading to a sharp decline in performance and even mass layoffs. So, how has this once highly esteemed airline fallen from grace?

Supporting Hong Kong Independence, 3000 Employees Strike

In 2019, Hong Kong erupted in severe social unrest. A Cathay Pacific captain participated in the protests and publicly expressed his support for Hong Kong independence, leading to his arrest by authorities. Although the captain was quickly released on bail, Cathay Pacific did not impose any penalties on him and even allowed him to continue his flight duties, sparking public outrage.

The incident did not end there. Subsequently, 3,000 Cathay Pacific employees participated in a strike, virtually crippling Hong Kong's aviation system. Numerous flights were forced to cancel, including mainland routes, severely impacting air safety between the mainland and Hong Kong, leaving a large number of passengers stranded in Hong Kong.

Even more infuriating, some passengers revealed that Cathay Pacific's in-flight software listed Hong Kong and Taiwan as separate countries, labeling Taipei as Taipei, Taiwan and Hong Kong as Hong Kong, China. This act was accused of openly splitting China.

Faced with public pressure, Cathay Pacific issued a statement claiming that its employees' actions were not related to the company and pledged to provide crew member lists on mainland flights. However, the public was not convinced, and Cathay Pacific found itself caught in a huge public relations storm.

The True Face of Cathay Pacific

Despite its name containing the word "Cathay" (referring to China), Cathay Pacific is not a Chinese enterprise. It was founded in 1946 by an American and an Australian, and was later acquired by the British Swire Group, becoming its holding company. While Air China also holds a stake in Cathay Pacific, its proportion is far less than that of Swire Group, making it unable to exert any substantial influence over the airline.

The series of events in 2019 exposed the true nature of Cathay Pacific, plunging it into an unprecedented crisis. In 2020, Cathay Pacific recorded a massive loss of HK$9.865 billion and implemented largescale layoffs, cutting 6,000 jobs globally, including over 5,000 in Hong Kong, representing a 17% reduction in its workforce. Employees were also subjected to salary cuts.

Unrepentant and Adding Fuel to the Fire

Cathay Pacific did not learn from the previous incidents. In May 2023, it was revealed to have discriminated against non-English speaking passengers, sparking nationwide controversy. Under public pressure, Cathay Pacific fired three employees involved.

However, the negative news about Cathay Pacific didn't stop there. In July 2024, Cathay Pacific again made headlines for throwing tourists' luggage, further damaging its reputation.

Conclusion

Cathay Pacific's downfall was not accidental. For a long time, Cathay Pacific management seemed to lack sufficient respect and attention for the Chinese market, and the actions of its employees reflected management problems within the company. Ultimately, Cathay Pacific has paid a heavy price for its wrongdoings.

The example of Cathay Pacific warns all enterprises that only by loving their own country can they achieve lasting development. Only by respecting culture and markets can they win the trust of consumers and achieve long-term growth.

Information Sources:

• China Youth Daily, August 10, 2019 - Co-pilot Accused of Rioting, Employees Participate in Strikes How Can Cathay Pacific be Cathay?

• Beijing Daily Client, August 9, 2019 - 3,000 Employees Participate in Strikes, Leak Hong Kong Police Information! Cathay Pacific Responds This Way

• Shanghai Youth, August 11, 2019 - Supporting Taiwan Independence and Hong Kong Independence? Cathay Pacific Punishment Outcome Released! But Netizens Still Dont Buy It

• Interface News (October 20, 2020) - Cathay Pacific to Lay Off Over 5,000 Hong Kong Employees, About 4,000 of Them Flight Attendants

Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])