Cathay Pacific warns of 'dramatic' supply chain disruptions.

With Hong Kong Government tightening quarantine rules even more, its flagship airline has warned that it could undermine the Hong Kong airport's status as a 'leading cargo hub'

Cathay Pacific, the flagship airline has warned the Hong Kong government that its new stricter quarantine rules will cause 'dramatic disruptions' in supply chains as rules force the airline to constrain flights. This was in response to the government's decision to force all cargo crew based in the city who have stayed overseas to stay seven days in hotel quarantine when they return. 

This decision shows an escalation from the world's most stringent and restricting quarantine rules as Hong Kong pursues the policy of 'zero-Covid' strategy. Unlike most Western countries deciding to 'live with' COVID-19, Hong Kong is one of the few countries in Asia to uphold such draconian measures as three weeks quarantine even for vaccinated people. 

Hong Kong, as a plan of 'closed-loop flights', have been quarantining pilots and staff going to 'high risk' countries such as the United States, India and UK, even though all of the flight crew are fully vaccinated in many airlines. In the past, 'low-risk' flights would have been given more leeway and leniency but this announcement has shown the government's need to tighten and restrain the threat of the Omicron variant.

In addition, Hong Kong has already suspended flights from major airlines like Qatar, Emirates, Korean Air, Turkish Airlines, Pacific Air and Finnair and have also banned flights from cities like Tokyo, Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Dubai, Manila and many more. 

Such restrictions have already caused airlines like Cathay Pacific to scrap an unspecified number of passenger flights because of such policies. The airline added that the flights have been cancelled immediately and effective until 'tentatively the first quarter of 2022.' and that it hopes to 'operate a skeleton flight schedule in January.' 

The Hong Kong Transport and Housing Bureau have announced that it will be in close communication with the aviation industry to maintain smooth air cargo series in and out of Hong Kong and to address the basic needs of Hong Kong while regarding public health. And the Hong Kong government has come forward saying that it will review temporary bans of flight routes in early January. 

But with the growing cases of Omicron, it is unlikely for the Hong Kong government to ease quarantine restrictions and for the airlines like Cathay Pacific to get some respite in the aviation industry. 

Photo Courtesy: [Vincent Albos/Pexels]