Cathay Pacific Direct Entry First Officer

Direct Entry First Officer – A330 & B747 Hong Kong based

Experienced and technically proficient pilots are required to meet the following minimum requirements:

• ICAO Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) – obtained without exemption or conversion
• Valid Multi-Engine Instrument Rating
• Valid Class 1 Medical Certificate
• ICAO English Level 4 or above
• Experience commensurate with age

Minimum flight time experience:
1000 hours flying experience in one, or a combination of the following:

• Multi-engine jet transport as Commander or First Officer
• Military high performance jet
• Turbo propeller aircraft of weight 20,000KG or more (command)
• Corporate jet (command)
• Military instruction (fixed wing)

Preference will be given to applicants with the following flight time experience:
A minimum of 500 hours in Airline or Military Jet Transport aircraft with a certified Maximum All Up Weight (MAUW) equal to or greater than 45,000KG.

The total hour requirement may be reduced for Airbus or Boeing type rated individuals, with time on type.

Direct Entry First Officer training will be conducted in the Cathay Pacific Flight Training Centre in Hong Kong.

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Jetstar Hong Kong sells 3 aircraft as it awaits approval

New budget airline Jetstar Hong Kong said on Friday (Aug 22) it has sold a total of six of its aircraft because it is taking longer than expected to get a licence to operate. The airline, which is a joint venture between Australia's Qantas, China Eastern Airlines and Hong Kong-based Shun Tak Holdings applied for regulatory approval in 2012 in the southern Chinese city.

An airline will only be given a operation license if its principle place of business and centre of its decision-making is in Hong Kong, according to local laws. "Jetstar Hong Kong can confirm the sale of a further three aircraft, now a total of six Airbus 320s, with three remaining in the fleet for launch," the airline's chief executive officer Edward Lau told AFP in an email.

The airline sold three A320s this month, and three in April. "This has been an unfortunate but prudent business decision made by the Jetstar Hong Kong board as the regulatory approvals are taking longer than initially expected," Lau said, adding that the sale doesn't affect the firm's readiness once approval is given.

Lau said Jetstar is working "closely" with the government and is "confident of gaining all the necessary approvals". The catalogue price of the latest sale of three A320s this month is US$281.7 million (S$352 million), according to Dow Jones Newswires.

The regulatory approval for the airline has also faced opposition from the city's flag carrier Cathay Pacific, which says the airline is not based in Hong Kong. "The whole Jetstar network is part of an Australian entity and certainly can't pass the test of being principally based here in Hong Kong," Cathay's chairman John Slosar had said earlier this month, Dow Jones reported.

Qantas owns the Jetstar brand and has other joint ventures in Japan, Singapore and Vietnam. Shipping and property giant Shun Tak Holdings, founded by Hong Kong tycoon Stanley Ho, bought a third of Jetstar Hong Kong for US$66 million in June of last year, helping its bid to set up locally.

Hong Kong-listed Shun Tak is run by managing director Pansy Ho, daughter of Stanley, who is also a Macau casino mogul. The low-cost carrier plans to fly to destinations in China, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.

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Cathay Pacific profits soar but competition hurts yields

Cathay Pacific said on Wednesday (Aug 130 its first-half net profit soared to HK$347 million (S$56 million) on higher passenger demand, but the Hong Kong flag carrier warned of a "challenging" outlook as surging competition held down fares.

The figure for the six months ending June 30 compared with a net profit of HK$24 million in the same period last year. Its first half revenue rose 4.6 per cent to HK$50.84 billion. But despite its upbeat performance, the blue-chip airline faces several challenges including persistently high jet fuel prices.

"The operating environment for the Cathay Pacific Group - and the aviation industry as a whole - remains challenging," group chairman John Slosar said in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange. "On the plus side, we continue to strengthen our passenger network and the connections available through Hong Kong," he said.

Aviation analyst Daniel Tsang told AFP the huge increase in net profits was on account of the airline's improving passenger operations, which contributed to a sharp jump in revenues. The airline's passenger revenue in the reported period was up 4.4 per cent to HK$36.52 billion compared to the previous year, helped by the introduction of new long-haul routes to destinations such as Doha and Newark.

FALLING PASSENGER YIELDS

However, Tsang said the airline will need to improve its passenger yields, a key measure of airlines' profitability, to maintain this earnings trend. Passenger yield, the measure of the average fare paid by a passenger per mile, fell 3.5 per cent to HK66.6 cents, reflecting weaker ticket prices in the face of surging competition.

"For this upward trend to be sustained, arresting this yield decline is paramount and a prerequisite," he said. Revenue for its air cargo business, which took a toll for more than two years due to the weak economy and demand for shipments, rose 3.4 per cent compared to the first half of last year, at HK$11.66 billion.

But over-capacity in the air cargo market created downward pressure on rates, with the airline seeing cargo yield falling by 6.9 per cent. "We expect our cargo business to be better in the second half of 2014 than it was in the first half. We are well placed to take advantage of any increase in demand," the airline said. Cathay also indicated that high fuel prices were partly mitigated by operating more fuel-efficient aircraft.

Five new aircraft, including two Boeing 777-300ERs, were delivered to Cathay during the reported period, as it retired two Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft. Eleven new aircraft will be delivered in the second half of 2014, as it continues to modernise its fleet. "Cathay is pretty aggressive in renewing its fleet. By end of 2014, it will only have seven gas-guzzling 747-400s," analyst Tsang said.

The International Air Transport Association in June said airline profits are improving and that it expects airline companies to record combined net profits of $18 billion for 2014, down from its earlier forecast of $18.7 billion made in March.

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US man trapped in plane toilet on flight to Hong Kong

A 15-hour flight to Hong Kong proved a particular ordeal for one US passenger who accidentally trapped his middle finger in a toilet rubbish bin early Wednesday, police said.

Police said in a statement the 32-year-old suffered the accident on a Cathay Pacific flight.

The passenger on the flight from Newark became trapped more than one hour before landing when he threw away some garbage, the South China Morning Post reported.

He had to stand alone in the washroom during the landing after flying for over 14 hours, it said.

Police said the man was able to free his hand with the help of firefighters after the plane landed and did not need hospital treatment.

The airline refused to comment on the incident.

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SIA to launch premium economy class in 2015

Singapore Airlines will launch a premium economy class in the second half of next year.

SIA’s CEO Goh Choon Phong made the announcement at the carrier's fourth quarter and full year earnings briefing on Friday.

The move comes as SIA responds to intense competition in the full service airline space.

SIA is aiming to sell more tickets to a wider group of customers.

The new premium economy class is targeted at business and leisure travellers wanting more legroom than is available in traditional economy class.

SIA had previously said that there were no plans to introduce that category of seats.

Mr Goh said: “A decision was taken last year, having gotten the latest review and also feedback from customers, etcetera -- that we think it's time for us to introduce the premium economy.

“So a lot of work has since been done between then and now, and we're now able to say that we are looking at introducing it in the second half of next year.

“You can rest assured that when we set our mind to do something, it will be done well. And we will, of course, announce the product as it becomes more available, because we're still in the process of finalising some of the details."

No details were given, but analysts said rival carrier Cathay Pacific could serve as inspiration.

The premium economy class accounts for up to 15 per cent of seats on Cathay, and each seat costs double of that in economy.

Paul Yong, vice president of Equity Research at DBS Vickers, said: "We think that they should have done it earlier, but better late than never.

“And the rationale behind it really is that this segment has seen significant acceptance from consumers. We've seen that Cathay Pacific actually introduced this product in the middle of 2012, and seems to have been quite successful."

At its full year results briefing, SIA also spoke on how it plans to meet rising challenges in the airline industry.

It is sticking to its multi-brand strategy, and intends to step out of its home base to set up hubs with joint venture partners Tata Sons and Nok Air in New Delhi and Bangkok, respectively.

Greg Waldron, Asia Managing Editor of Flightglobal, said: "With its use of budget carriers, the SIA group has been able to maintain 50 per cent capacity share out of Changi Airport since the last 10 years. So they've been very successful in defending their capacity at their key hub airport.

“The problem is, I think there have been some issues retaining profitability from this move to Tigerair, from moving people to Scoot. I think that's been an issue for them."

At the same time, SIA will invest US$325 million to upgrade 19 planes -- roughly a fifth of its fleet size.

Those new cabin products, such as new seats, are already available on flights to London and Tokyo.

But once the upgrade is completed, one could soon be flying to places like Hong Kong, Sydney, and San Franscisco on them.

The same 19 planes will also be fitted with the premium economy class seats.

The new cabin class will be first rolled out on SIA's Boeing 777-300ERs, followed by its Airbus A380s, and A350s.

The carrier reported its fourth quarter and full year earnings on Thursday.

For its fiscal fourth quarter ended in March, SIA posted a net profit of S$27 million, down 60 per cent from the same period a year ago.

For the full year ended on March 31, it booked a net profit of S$359.5 million -- a drop of 5.4 per cent from a year ago.

In trade on Friday, SIA's shares closed 0.4 per cent lower at S$10.21.

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Cathay Pacific to relocate to Changi Airport T4

The Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific has announced that it will relocate from Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 to the newest Terminal 4 (T4) when it opens in 2017, becoming the first airline to confirm such a move.

In a joint release today (April 30), the Changi Airport Group (CAG) and the airline said some of the key highlights for its passengers at T4 will include an enhanced travel experience with a line-up of self-service initiatives, as well as an expanded dedicated lounge of more than 800sqm for its premium passengers.

Changi Airport’s latest terminal, T4, is designed to handle 16 million passenger movements per annum and is able to support operations for both full-service and budget carriers.

With more than 130 weekly flights to and from Changi Airport, Cathay Pacific’s relocation to the new terminal will also provide it with “good room for future growth”, said the statement.

Mr Wilson Yam, General Manager, Southeast Asia, Cathay Pacific Airways, said: “As a keen adopter of technology aimed at improving passenger experience, self check-in options have always been offered by Cathay Pacific at all our stations. Changi Airport is one of Cathay Pacific’s largest bases outside Hong Kong so we are very excited at this opportunity to offer a transformational on-ground product for our valued passengers.”

CAG’s Executive Vice President of Air Hub and Development, Mr Yam Kum Weng, said the group is “delighted with Cathay Pacific’s acceptance of our invitation to relocate its operations to T4” and looks forward to a close partnership with the airline at T4 come 2017.

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Cathay Pacific says net profit tripled in 2013

Hong Kong flagship carrier Cathay Pacific said Wednesday net profit more than tripled last year thanks to a rise in demand from Chinese travellers and fuel cost-saving measures.

The airline said profit jumped to HK$2.62 billion ($338 million) from HK$862 million in 2012 as revenue climbed 1.1 per cent to HK$100.5 billion.

The 204 per cent increase helped the firm recover from a painful 2012, when its bottom line was hammered by the effects of the eurozone crisis as well as persistently high fuel prices.

The result was in line with the average HK$2.74 billion net profit forecast by analysts, according to Dow Jones newswires.

However the figure is still well down from the HK$5.5 billion profit seen in 2011.

"The operating environment remained challenging throughout 2013... It was therefore encouraging to see an improvement in our overall performance," company chairman Christopher Pratt said in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Cathay, which also owns Hong Kong-based airline DragonAir, said it transported almost 30 million passengers in 2013, an increase of 3.3 per cent from the previous year, helped by strong demand for leisure travel from its base in Hong Kong, a jump in outbound travel from mainland China and promotional ticket programmes.

Fuel remains the most significant cost, the company said, accounting for 39.0 per cent of total operating costs in 2013.

The airline said it had helped combat high fuel prices by withdrawing older planes and operating more long-haul services using fuel-efficient Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The company also reshuffled schedules, helping bring down fuel costs by 4.6 per cent year-on-year, it said.

Pratt said its cargo business had been hit by weak demand since April 2011, with revenue falling 3.6 per cent to HK$23.7 billion.

But the company said it remained confident in the city as an aviation hub.

An investment of HK$5.9 billion into a new cargo terminal at Hong Kong airport, which opened last year, "will bear fruit in the long term", it said.

The airline has also faced stiff competition from low-cost carriers, particularly in Southeast Asia.

In 2013, Cathay Pacific acquired 19 new aircraft, including five Airbus A330-300 aircraft nine Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and five Boeing 747-8F freighters.

Cathay was trading down 1.8 per cent at HK$15.5 early afternoon Wednesday in Hong Kong.

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12 injured by turbulence on Cathay Pacific flight

A dozen people were injured when a Cathay Pacific jumbo jet hit "rollercoaster" turbulence over northern Japan, local media reported on Wednesday.

The Boeing 747-400, carrying 321 passengers and 21 crew, was rocked by "sudden turbulence" when it flew over Hokkaido prefecture on Tuesday, the South China Morning Post reported.

Cathay Pacific confirmed to AFP that two crew members were injured along with a number of passengers, without confirming the newspaper's figure.

The flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong landed at the southern Chinese city's airport at 6.26pm local time to be greeted by a fleet of ambulances and emergency vehicles.

One of the injured was taken to hospital on a stretcher.

The turbulence was "more intense than riding a rollercoaster", a passenger was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

The airline said medical assistance was provided to the injured on board before the flight landed.

"Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department has been informed of the incident, and we are collaborating with the authority on the investigation," the spokesman said.

Cathay Pacific is Hong Kong's flagship airline.

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Cathay Pacific orders 4 more long-haul Boeing planes

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific ordered four additional long-haul planes from Boeing on Friday, a week after it ordered 21 Boeing 777-9X planes, in a move to modernise its fleet.

The airline said it would purchase an additional three Boeing 777-300ER passenger planes along with a Boeing 747-8 freighter, with a total list price of HK$7.4 billion (US$954.25 million).

Cathay did not reveal the amount it is paying to the US manufacturer, but airlines usually negotiate a discount from a plane's catalogue price.

"Both the 777-300ER and the 747-8F offer a highly efficient solution on Cathay Pacific's ultra-long-haul routes," the airline's chief executive John Slosar said in a statement released on Friday.

Slosar said the 777-300ER's, which are expected to be delivered in 2015 and the 747-8F, to be delivered in 2016, combine "superb operating economics with a significant reduction in emissions".

Cathay last Friday ordered 21 long-haul Boeing 777-9X planes, the aircraft manufacturer's newest member of the 777 family, at a list price of US$7.48 billion.

The yet-to-be launched 777X series includes advanced technology including composite wings and engines that Boeing says consume 20 per cent less fuel than today's model.

The airline said the planes, which will seat up to 400 passengers and be delivered between 2021 and 2024, were ideal for long-haul destinations in North America and Europe.

The airline said in August it swung to a lower-than-expected net profit of US$3.1 million in the first six months, after losing money in the same period of 2012. Gains in passenger numbers were offset by persistently high fuel prices and falling cargo revenue.

This year, Cathay has increased daily services to popular destinations such as Los Angeles, Chicago and London.

The airline is set to take delivery of 93 aircraft between 2014 and 2024 at a total list price of US$28.63 billion.

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Cathay Pacific orders 21 Boeing 777X planes

Cathay Pacific said Friday it has ordered 21 long-haul Boeing 777-9X planes at a list price of US$7.48 billion, as the Hong Kong carrier modernises its fleet off the back of disappointing earnings this year.

The yet-to-be launched 777X series is Boeing's newest member of the 777 family, with advanced technology including composite wings and new engines that Boeing says consume 20 per cent less fuel than today's model.

Cathay did not reveal the amount it is paying to the US manufacturer, but airlines usually negotiate a discount from a plane's catalogue price.

"The 777-9X promises us improved payload range capability and reduced operating costs, in addition to a significant reduction in environmental emissions," the airline's chief executive John Slosar said in a statement.

"Cathay Pacific is committed to modernising its fleet to provide a superior experience to passengers," Slosar said, adding that the airline was "delighted to be an early customer" for the next generation of the 777 series.

The airline said the planes, which will seat up to 400 passengers and will be delivered between 2021 and 2024, were ideal for long-haul destinations in North America and Europe.

"The huge investment we are making in new aircraft underscores... our commitment to maintaining Hong Kong's position as one of the world's great aviation hubs," Slosar said.

The airline said in August it swung to a lower-than-expected net profit of US$3.1 million in the first six months, after losing money in the same period of 2012. Gains in passenger numbers were offset by persistently high fuel prices and falling cargo revenue.

The high price of jet fuel had affected its business adversely, Cathay said in a statement then, adding that it was withdrawing older planes and operating more long-haul services using fuel-efficient Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

The airline faced a difficult year in 2012 when profit plunged more than 83 per cent over the full 12 months, buffeted by high fuel prices and the global financial crisis.

Starting from 2014, the airline is expecting the delivery of 12 Boeing 777-300ERs, and will see 50 of this aircraft type in its fleet by 2020.

This year, Cathay took delivery of six new aircraft in the first six months, including two Airbus A330-300s, three Boeing 777-300ERs, and one Boeing 747-8F freighter.

It has increased daily services to popular destinations such as London, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto.

The airline Emirates placed an order in November for 150 Boeing 777X aircraft -- 35 777-8Xs and 115 of the larger 777-9X variant, in a contract the Dubai-based carrier said was valued at US$76 billion.

Boeing said the Emirates orders were commitments worth US$55.6 billion.

Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways last month placed an order for 25 777X passenger jets, including 17 777-9X models and eight 777-8Xs.

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Cathay Pacific's 2012 net profit slumps 83.3%

Cathay Pacific said Wednesday that 2012 net profit plunged 83.3 percent, as the Hong Kong flag carrier was hit by persistently high fuel prices and the Eurozone financial crisis.

The airline said profit stood at HK$916 million (US$118 million), down from the HK$5.5 billion it recorded in 2011. Revenue rose 1.0 percent to HK$99.4 billion from HK$98.4 billion in 2011.

Cathay said it carried a total of 29.0 million passengers in 2012, a 5.0-percent rise year on-year, but its premium class sales were hit as companies cut back on travel for executives.

"It was a challenging year for the aviation industry generally," chairman Christopher Pratt said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange.

The airline said that "sustained high levels" of jet fuel prices, which accounts for more than 40 percent of total operation costs, dragged down its performance.

"The high cost of fuel made it more difficult to operate profitably, particularly on long-haul routes operated by older, less fuel-efficient, Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A340-300 aircraft," said Pratt.

Even though Cathay has accelerated its plans to retire fuel-guzzling aircraft, the chairman said fuel costs will remain its "biggest challenge" this year, as the long-haul routes account for a huge chunk of its business.

"Economic uncertainty, particularly in the Eurozone countries, and an increasingly competitive environment added to the difficulties," Pratt said.

"We believe we have taken the right measures to deal with current challenges and will take whatever further measures are necessary should the business environment not improve," he added.

The weak global economy continued to take a toll on Cathay's air cargo business, with revenue falling 5.5 percent to HK$24.6 billion in 2012, while demand for shipments in key markets Hong Kong and mainland China "was well below expectations".

The blue-chip Asian airline in August posted a first-half year net loss of HK$935 million.

Airlines around the world have been struggling with fuel costs and softening demand owing to the global economic weakness.

But the International Air Transport Association said in December that profits for global airlines are expected to pick up, with the industry group forecasting total profits of US$6.7 billion for 2012, up from its previous estimate of US$4.1 billion.

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High jet fuel prices, anemic market demand; the usual reasons for profit drops plaguing premium airlines today.  However, CX will need to retire those old B747 jumbos to further cut down on the fuel bill.

Cathay asks crew to volunteer for early retirement

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific on Tuesday asked its cabin crew to volunteer for early retirement as part of its cost-cutting measures to boost profitability amid a global slowdown.

Cathay has been trying to trim costs after it fell into the red in the first half of 2012 with a HK$935 million ($121 million) loss, partly due to high fuel prices that have also dragged down other regional airlines' performance.

The airline said the scheme would be offered to flight attendants who joined the firm before September 1996, to cut cost as well as to help facilitate recruitment and promotion opportunities.

"It is also part of the airline's cost management measures," a spokeswoman said in a statement to AFP, adding that the airline has not set any target on the number of flight attendants that it hopes would sign up for the scheme.

The carrier has around 9,000 cabin crew members, who serve 170 routes in 42 countries and are among over 20,000 staff the airline employs worldwide. It did not say what number of crew members is eligible for the scheme.

Cathay averted an industrial action by its crews -- which had threatened to stop serving alcohol and smiling at passengers -- over the Christmas holidays last month after it agreed to improve their working conditions.

The protest was sparked by Cathay's bid to give a two percent pay rise to its employees this year, on top of a discretionary one-month bonus for 2012, falling short of the flight attendants union's demand.

Singapore Airlines, one of Cathay's rivals, earlier this month asked its captains to volunteer for unpaid leave after it posted a 69-percent plunge in profit in the carrier's financial year ending March 2012.

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SIA targets its pilots, Cathay asks its cabin crew to retire early, read: never come back. It is really bad times for the big airlines due to the ever rising fuel costs.

Cathay Pacific crews threaten no-smile, no-booze strike

Cathay Pacific flight crews may stop serving alcohol and smiling at passengers after voting in favour of industrial action during the Christmas holidays over a salary dispute, their union said Tuesday.

The Cathay Pacific Airways Flight Attendants Union, which is demanding a five per cent salary increase from Hong Kong's flagship carrier, said the "work-to-rule" measures could also throw flight schedules into chaos.

"We will be selective in providing our services," union general secretary Tsang Kwok-fung told AFP, adding that the form and date of the action approved in Monday's vote is yet to be decided.

"This could include not smiling at passengers, not providing certain types of beverages -- such as alcohol -- or stop serving meals," he said.

"In a nutshell it means passengers will still be able to reach their destinations except they are paying a five-star price to get a three-star service," Tsang said.

Work-to-rule is a form of industrial action in which employees do no more than the minimum required by the rules of their contract, sometimes adhering to safety or other regulations precisely in order to cause a slowdown.

"We will follow the rules strictly, such as offloading oversize luggage, that could cause a slowdown or even delay of flights," Tsang said.

The protest was sparked by Cathay's announcement last month that it was giving a two per cent pay rise to its employees in 2013, on top of a discretionary one-month bonus for 2012, falling short of the union's demand.

The 6,000-strong union at a special meeting on Monday told the carrier to resume negotiations or face the Christmas action and a possible full strike during the New Year holiday.

Cathay has insisted the union withdraw the threat to strike before re-opening talks, and asked its staff to be "considerate and understand the difficult situation" the airline is facing.

The carrier has been trying to trim costs after it fell into the red in the first half of this year with a HK$935 million ($121 million) loss, partly due to high fuel prices.

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Well at least the operations will not be as affected as a full strike. The ones on the disadvantaged side are the passengers who paid for full premium service but don't really get it. It's really a tough decision to make by CX. To give in or not??

  

Cathay Pacific crews threaten holiday strike

A union representing flight attendants of Hong Kong's flagship carrier Cathay Pacific on Tuesday threatened industrial action over a pay rise dispute, just weeks before the holiday season.

The airline announced on Friday a two percent pay rise for its employees in 2013, falling short of the five percent demanded by the 6,000-strong Cathay Pacific Airways Flight Attendants Union, sparking protest from members.

"We will mobilise all our members to join in the industrial action," union vice chairman Julian Yau told reporters, after calling the rise "totally unacceptable" due to the high cost of inflation.

He urged the airline not to "force its workers to carry out actions that would be harmful to all", and said the union, which has not ruled out the possibility of a strike, will decide its next course of action in a meeting on Monday.

Responding to the threat, Cathay said the two percent adjustment, along with a discretionary one-month bonus for 2012, is a "fair, reasonable and competitive offer in view of the extreme challenges the airline is facing".

"I trust most of our cabin crew are considerate and understand the challenging situation the company is in," Cathay said in a statement.

The airline fell into the red in the first half of the year with a HK$935 million ($121 million) loss, partly due to high fuel prices.

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In times like now, a strike isn't one of the best things to do. Employees should also be a little more understanding of the situation airlines are facing. Rough out the bad weather together and the days ahead will be better.

Cathay Second Officer

Another video by Cathay Pacific introducing one of their own boys as a Second Officer flying their fleet of modern aircraft. It is videos like this that inspires people all around the world who aspire being an airline pilot and trying all means to get into the cockpit one day to fulfill their dream job and feed their flying passion at the same time. Who wouldn't want a job that he will be smiling while reporting to work?

But it is tough, right from the very start. It isn't a road that is going to be a walk in the park. Cathay's cadet interview process is one of the longest and most tedious I've seen; having to go through so many stages and the whole process might even take 6 months or more. And after getting through the many stages of tests, the ground school and flight training is another hurdle to pass.

Being an airline pilot isn't just about glamour, there is definitely a lot of hard work behind that shiny pair of wings pinned onto the left chest. Cathay Pacific has created a new website associated with their cadets. Lots of info in there, fellow aviation enthusiasts can go take a look!

Cathay looks for second officers with an eye to promotion

Like its counterparts on the other side of China's internal border, Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific will be aggressively recruiting pilots over the next three years as it prepares to take delivery of dozens of new Airbus and Boeing widebodies.

However, the iconic flag-carrier's strategy is different to most of the other, newer Chinese airlines. For a start, Cathay - based in the former UK colony, now a special administrative region of China, for the past 66 years - recruits only second officers. And, unlike carriers in mainland China, which tend to offer expat pilots fixed-term contracts, Cathay "likes to be a career airline", says Kelly Crawford, flightcrew recruitment manager, offering these second officers a long-term progression to the left-hand seat.

Cathay will look to recruit around 200 second officers in 2013, with a target of 100 for the following year and 140 for 2015. Those joining will vary from young twenty somethings who have come through ab initio training to experienced instructors or regional jet, or even narrowbody, first officers.

Although it may not be undergoing the breakneck growth of some other Chinese airlines, Cathay's fleet is expanding fast. It operates 137 Boeing 777s and 747s and Airbus A340s and A330s, with an average fleet age of 10.7 years. It has firm orders for 97 aircraft, around half of them Airbus A350s, but also 777-300ERs and A330s, as well as 777-200 and 747-8 Freighters.

Cathay has three recruitment streams for its second officers. At the entry-level it has a 55-week ab initio cadet programme for those with little or no aviation experience. These will tend to be young graduates and Hong Kong identity card-holders, says Crawford. About 60 of the 200 recruits in 2013 will come via this route.

For those with more experience - usually a commercial pilot's licence - Cathay offers a 32-week programme, which ends up with an instrument rating and a seat in the cockpit of one of the airline's fleet. Recruits can range in age from 23 to 48, says Crawford, and will come from all over the world. Around 70 of the 200 intake will complete this course.

Finally, the highest level of entry is a five-week transition training programme for holders of airline transport pilot licences (ATPL), with around 70 of the 2013 recruits expected to go through this process. The three streams give Cathay a "good mix of experience coming into the cockpit, with a global flavour", says Crawford.

Promotion is relatively rapid. Under local regulations, second officers must have reached first officer rank within four-and-a-half years, but most achieve promotion a year earlier. Time to command is around 12 years, but this can vary depending on fleet size and the number of first officers coming through the system at any one time. "It has typically been 10 years, but it has been as low as seven," says Crawford.

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A little information about the recruitment outlook at Cathay Pacific. Unlike Singapore Airlines, CX is looking to recruit more cadets in the coming year 2013, 200 of them to be exact. Perhaps this will spell great news for those looking to take a shot at this programme.

Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Programme

The very competitive Cathay Pacific cadet pilot programme for ab-initios. I did apply for it back in early 2010 but never got a call up from them for an interview even when they came to Singapore in 2011. I would have really loved to have a shot at it but was never given a chance. That's quite a shame but it's understandable considering how many quality applicants they get.

However, now that the ab-initio programme is closed for foreigners, this avenue to become an airline pilot is somehow closed for people with no experience in flight. Don't fret, they have more advanced programmes for those with flight experience and they're shorter in the training duration. You can click on the "Cathay Pacific Career" tab above to find out more information on it.

Good luck!

Pilots in Qantas and Cathay Pacific

An insight to being a pilot in Cathay Pacific and Qantas, two of the biggest international airlines in the world.