Yesterday, Cathay Pacific Airways released its annual results and the report included some astonishing numbers. Cathay is a Hong Kong-based airline, and was hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely due to Hong Kong's zero-COVID approach.

Cathay releases 2021 report

In Cathay's 2021 results announcement, chairman Patrick Healy thanked the airline's aircrew,

In particular, I would like to thank our aircrew, who have kept Hong Kong safely connected to the world under the most difficult conditions for any airline anywhere in the world. In 2021, our crew spent more than 62,000 nights in quarantine hotels. In addition, over 1,000 of our people, many of them aircrew, but also people from our services, operations and head office teams, have spent over 11,000 nights in the Penny’s Bay quarantine facility. Collectively, our crew took over 230,000 COVID-19 tests in 2021, with only 16 positive cases despite our people, who are of course all fully vaccinated, flying continuously to many of the highest-risk countries in the world.

The total number of nights spent in quarantine accommodation adds up to more than 73,000 - the equivalent of 200 years. 11,000 of those nights were at the renowned Penny's Bay, near Hong Kong Disneyland on the island of Lantau. Isolation here can be miserable, with many complaining they are not informed of how long they need to stay, and reports of attempted suicide among at least three patients at the facility.

At the end of his statement, Healy adds,

"The professionalism they have shown in upholding safe operations throughout this period have been unparalleled."

For more information on the 2021 Annual Results, click here.

In his opening remarks during the 2021 Annual Results Media Webcast, Healy compared the airline's losses in 2021 to 2020.

The Cathay Pacific Group’s attributable loss for the year was $5.5 billion. This represents a very significant improvement from the Group’s loss of $21.6 billion in 2020. You will recall that The Group’s attributable loss in the first half of 2021 was $7.6 billion. In other words, The Cathay Pacific Group made an attributable profit in the second half of 2021 of just over $2 billion.

How Cathay has dealt with COVID-19 restrictions

According to the annual results, Cathay aircrew took over 230,000 COVID tests in 2021, yet only 16 had positive results. Healy attributes this to all the airline staff being fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Bloomberg reported that Cathay's staff have been blamed for bringing the COVID-19 virus into Hong Kong.

Its staff have been blamed by authorities for bringing Covid into Hong Kong, and subject to frequently shifting protocols that made it difficult to continue running flights. - Bloomberg

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Long-suffering Cathay Pacific is Hong Kong Airport's number one customer. Photo: Hong Kong Airport

If Cathay took so many precautions to keep its aircrew and passengers safe during the pandemic, why do Hong Kong authorities blame the airline for bringing COVID into Hong Kong?

In January, Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam called for an investigation into Cathay Pacific Airways due to crew violating COVID protocols. In a video released to Cathay staff, Patrick Healy stated that he was aware that a small number of crew had broken self-isolation rules. Healy added,

“...we have apologised publicly for the disruption and anguish caused by these non-compliances”.

He further stated that Cathay would cooperate with the investigation. As of February, two flight attendants had been charged with breaking COVID protocols and faced a trial in Hong Kong's criminal court.

Cathay's commitment to its staff, customers, and the people of Hong Kong

With such tight COVID restrictions in Hong Kong, Cathay expects to operate 2% of its pre-COVID passenger flight capacity and about one-third of its pre-COVID cargo capacity.

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Hong Kong's flag carrier, Cathay Pacific Airways has shipped over 190 million doses of the COVID vaccine. Photo: Airbus

Although Cathay has likely been one of the hardest-hit airlines in the world, Healy shared the following in his media webcast,

"Meanwhile we are doing our utmost –despite the enormously challenging operating conditions - to maximise our passenger and cargo flight capacity. We are very grateful for the support and understanding extended by our customers during this period of major disruption to our schedules. We appreciate it has not been easy for our customers. We are fully committed to keeping all vital connections, and the flow of people and goods between Hong Kong and the rest of the world moving, and to upholding Hong Kong’s international aviation hub status, just as we have for the past 75 years."

The airline has shipped over 190 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, delivered over 13 million Rapid Antigen Tests, and has required all of its staff to receive the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by June 1st. Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong's flag carrier, has demonstrated the utmost commitment to safety during the COVID-19 pandemic and has pledged its continued commitment to the people of Hong Kong.