Cathay’s labor problem opens doors for PAL, other carriers

The work slowdown by pilots of Cathay Pacific Airways, now into its second week, has become a boon for other carriers competing in the various routes flown by Asia’s fourth largest airline.

With disruptions wreaking havoc on Cathay’s flight schedules worldwide, passengers have been taking no chances, shifting to other carriers flying their routes.

This was especially evident on the Manila-Hong Kong sector, one of Asia’s busiest air routes.

Cathay’s five daily flights have been hard hit by delays and sudden cancellations, forcing passengers to rebook on British Airways, Swiss Air and Philippine Airlines, which all operate in the sector.

Even the long-haul routes out of Cathay’s hub in Hong Kong have suffered. The carrier’s three daily flights from the territory to Vancouver, for instance, have followed erratic schedules since the pilots’ industrial action began July 3.

This has apparently benefited Philippine Airlines, which reported a surge in bookings to the Canadian city after the Cathay labor dispute erupted.

PAL’s thrice-weekly direct service from Manila to Vancouver showed a dramatic improvement in passenger loads. From an average of 64 percent in the weeks prior to July 3, the flag carrier has been enjoying near-capacity loads since.

Its July 7 Manila-Vancouver flight, to cite a recent example, was 98 percent full. The return Vancouver-Manila service had 95 percent occupancy. PAL deploys 264-seater Airbus 340-300 aircraft on the route.

Other carriers, including US majors Northwest Airlines and Continental Airlines, also reported full loads on their respective trans-Pacific flights out of Manila in the wake of the Cathay disruptions.

The good loads are expected to continue as the Cathay labor row appears set to worsen following management’s firing of 52 pilots on Monday. The union has vowed to escalate its go-slow "work to rule" campaign.

PAL is the only carrier operating non-stop services between Manila and North America via its gateways of Vancouver, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

All other airlines offer connecting services through hubs in their homes or regional bases. – PNA