Future of IVAN CHU
 

As we head towards year end, I have compiled my wish list and the topping the item is when will Ivan Chu be replaced as CX CEO and moved to Swire China to follow Philip Chen's footsteps.

Merry Christmas everyone and to a successful 2017 without Ivan Chu in captain's seat.

We heard you loud and clear in many of previous threads already. If you're so dissatisfied with CX and its current condition, then simply take your business elsewhere.

Please come back and share again when you actually have news on the "future of Ivan Chu".

Replacing the CEO won't make the 'good old days' come back. CX is subject to changes in the industry beyond any one individual's control.

In one of the DM dine with Cathay management meals, I had a chance to talk with them. It does seen like the entire culture of Cathay has changed. Instead of keeping themselves relatively small (but competitive) and offering high class services across-the-board (but profitable), they have turned to reinvent themselves to be market-share oriented (capturing as many pax as possible), and in doing so they have expanded too far, too quickly, which cuts into their profits which they try to hide by cutting costs, the vicious cycle got started and it's getting worst.

Of course the ridiculous fuel-price fixed only made the problem worse.

I think the other poster is correct. Do not expect a turn around for Cathay. Currently I see their strategy as two-fold: draw premium flyers to the premium cabins, but offer enough deals and discounts to fill out the back-cabins. Hence: they try to be premium airline and LCC at the same time. Which, IMHO, is ludicrous.

Air Canada is doing it and I'll bet someone at CX is watching, particularly since they've now signed sharing agreements.

(BTW, AC is 2 airlines pretending to be one - mainline and Rouge. But, if you look at your phrase "they try to be premium airline and LCC at the same time.", mainline AC can be seen to be 2 airlines as well, the front and the back - completely different demographics and economics. And yes, I am well aware that AC and CX are nothing alike culturally, nor do they operate in the same spheres.)

This is not really a relevant or productive thread so closing it.

sxc
Cathay Pacific Moderator