Hong Kong denies work visas to dozens of Cathay Pacific pilots seeking to relocate to city
- Immigration officials’ hardline stance has effectively led to the pilots’ termination
- The crew had been allowed to keep their jobs following the closure of Cathay’s overseas bases only if they could secure Hong Kong visas
Several dozen Cathay pilots had attempted to move from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Germany after the carrier shut down its foreign bases, putting about 280 skilled jobs at risk.
The employees were able to keep their job only on condition they secured a valid work visa for Hong Kong.
However, since the carrier axed its regional airline Cathay Dragon in October last year, creating a large pool of unemployed cockpit crew, not a single new work visa for a foreign pilot has been approved.
Cathay Pacific on Saturday confirmed the Immigration Department had rejected all visa applications from its overseas pilots, though it did not specify the number.
“We have been informed by the Immigration Department that the work permit applications from overseas-based pilots who have applied to relocate to Hong Kong have been rejected,” an airline spokeswoman said. “We are reaching out to support these officers, many of whom will have the opportunity to elect an enhanced termination benefit.”
