Cathay Pacific may face legal action over Omicron outbreak

Hong Kong is investigating if Cathay Pacific (CX, Hong Kong Int’l) could be held legally accountable for the current outbreak of Omicron in the city, according to Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Speaking at a news conference, she said the airline was responsible for the conduct of employees who had broken quarantine rules, according to a tweet by local political journalist Alvin Lum. “Carrie Lam said Government is studying possible legal grounds to hold Cathay Pacific accountable for this wave of outbreak, saying the airline has managerial responsibility for the conduct of its employees who flouted the quarantine rules,” the tweet read.

Hong Kong authorities have publicly blamed Cathay Pacific for the Omicron outbreak. Lam last week summoned Cathay’s top management to a meeting and expressed “strong dissatisfaction” over breaches of COVID-19 restrictions. Health Secretary Sophia Chan said four Cathay Pacific crew members had tested positive, one of whom had spread Omicron to diners at a restaurant when flouting self-isolation rules.

The airline was not immediately available for comment.

As reported, Cathay Pacific earlier suspended all long-haul cargo flights until at least January 6 after Hong Kong announced tightened quarantine requirements for crew members. A Cathay Pacific cargo pilot was earlier identified as the first carrier of Omicron to enter Hong Kong. The airline has also fired three cargo pilots for becoming infected with COVID-19 during a layover in Frankfurt Int’l.

RTHK television news reported Cathay had apologised for its non-compliant crew members. Corporate Affairs General Manager, Andy Wong, said an internal investigation had revealed serious breaches of protocols and that disciplinary action would be taken. He said the airline would cooperate closely with the authorities, and required all eligible aircrew to get a third vaccine booster shot.

At the news briefing, Lam also expressed disappointment in members of her government who were quarantined after attending a party with more than 100 guests despite public directives to avoid large gatherings. Hong Kong has tightened social distancing measures for the next two weeks to curb the spread of the virus, a move the food and beverage sector claims could wipe out HKD1 billion Hong Kong dollars (USD128 million) in revenue ahead of the Chinese New Year on February 1, 2022.