Once the pride of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific becomes government’s punchbag

Flag carrier has become a regular target of government criticism as it struggles to recover from the COVID pandemic.

Hong Kong, China – For decades, Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways (CPA) stood as a proud symbol of the city’s international status and an exemplar of Asian aviation.

These days, the flagship carrier is treated more like the Chinese-ruled financial hub’s bete noire, regularly receiving severe scrutiny and criticism from its own government as it struggles to recover from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After Cathay cancelled more than 700 flights scheduled between December and February, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu told local reporters he was “very concerned” and wanted local aviation to “rebuild its capacity fast”.

Criticism from the Transport and Logistics Bureau was followed in March by Cathay CEO Ronald Lam Siu-por being subject to a public grilling by the Legislative Council, where lawmakers slammed the airline’s “chaotic management”.

In an article the following month, the pro-Beijing South China Morning Post newspaper published an article with the headline: “Can Cathay Pacific get its act together, or is it time for Hong Kong authorities to take a stake in the airline?”