All the applicants were subsequently rejected. Immigration data for the first eight months of the year showed 496 visa applications from non-local pilots, of which 73 were seeking a first-time work permit. "We are reaching out to support these officers, many of whom will have the opportunity to elect an enhanced termination benefit."
"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. 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.Ĭathay Pacific on Saturday confirmed the Immigration Department had rejected all visa applications from its overseas pilots, though it did not specify the number. The employees were able to keep their job only on condition they secured a valid work visa for Hong Kong. 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 South China Morning Post has learned. HONG KONG: Immigration officials in Hong Kong have denied work visas to dozens of overseas Cathay Pacific pilots seeking to relocate to the city, prompting the airline to terminate their employment. A Cathay Pacific jet is seen in front of the air traffic control tower at Hong Kong International Airport on Oct 24 2020.