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Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific defends relaxation of captain training criteria, says it targets short-haul pilots, but union casts doubts on move
- Decision allows more pilots to be promoted to captain, potentially making the carrier more attractive to employees
- Union says less-experienced pilots may require more instruction and longer courses, which will add to Cathay’s training burden
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Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has defended its relaxation of captain training criteria, saying it is targeted at short-haul pilots who build up flying hours more slowly despite operating a greater number of flights, but a union has warned the move is no solution to staffing problems.
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The decision by Cathay Pacific, which has cancelled hundreds of flights since December 24 as it struggles with long-term staff shortages and stiff competition from other airlines for flight crew, would allow more pilots to be promoted to captain, potentially making the carrier more attractive to employees.
Cathay pilots under the old rules had to accumulate 4,000 flying hours, including 1,500 hours on commercial jets, to apply for captain’s training.
But the revision lowers it to flying 3,000 hours and completing 500 flights as a first officer on Cathay aircraft.
Pilots must also complete the training for captain and meet other requirements to be promoted.
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