Covid-19 coronavirus - effect on Cathay Pacific
May 23, 2020, 8:43 am
#1171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,568
With CX starting to ramp up services from 20th June, I had assumed this might be in response to some preferential information they had from the gvt regarding transit rules relaxing later next month, or alternatively the airport preparing for transit lanes.
Hoping it’s an educated decision or else i’m assuming we’ll see these flights cancelled again over the coming weeks
Hoping it’s an educated decision or else i’m assuming we’ll see these flights cancelled again over the coming weeks
May 23, 2020, 10:40 pm
#1172
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Locked down in the jungle
Programs: BA Gold for Life, SQ PPS Club, UA Gold MM
Posts: 96
Of course, the government can always extend the ban beyond June 20 if they so choose. And I was speaking to a call-center worker who did not claim to have any new information one way or another from the HK government. But as of now the airline's assumption seems to be that the restriction will expire, transit will be possible, and they are selling tickets for those additional flights after that date.
I hope they are right about it.
May 24, 2020, 4:09 am
#1173
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,568
I'm still booked on Cathay for SIN-HKG-SFO on July 1, and spoke to a CX agent last week. They firmly believe the transit restriction will expire on June 20, because that's what the original order says. It's not indefinite, and apparently doesn't require government action to lift it. Hence Cathay's addition of a number of new flights starting late June, including SFO.
Of course, the government can always extend the ban beyond June 20 if they so choose. And I was speaking to a call-center worker who did not claim to have any new information one way or another from the HK government. But as of now the airline's assumption seems to be that the restriction will expire, transit will be possible, and they are selling tickets for those additional flights after that date.
I hope they are right about it.
Of course, the government can always extend the ban beyond June 20 if they so choose. And I was speaking to a call-center worker who did not claim to have any new information one way or another from the HK government. But as of now the airline's assumption seems to be that the restriction will expire, transit will be possible, and they are selling tickets for those additional flights after that date.
I hope they are right about it.
Clearly the airport had time to study how to arrange the flows of pax when the transit ban is lifted.
But the situation can evolve.
June 20 is in 4 weeks, and an early lifting is possible if international travel picks up, which is unlikely.
The covid situation in HK is good and life returning to normal. But HK performs few daily tests as capacity is limited to 4,500 or so. That is very few for a population of 7.5 million. Only cases with serious symptoms or their contacts are tested. It is hard to get tested with mild or no symptoms. As silent but contagious carriers are estimated to be some 40% of sick people, it is commonly believed that there are quite a few unreported cases who caould start a new wave as restrictions are relaxed and people get lax in their behavior. SO the mood towards relaxing restrictions could change.
Currently the authorities are dealing with repatriation from South Asia and that keeps them busy.
But yes, it seems that the current plan is to relax transit by 20 June.
May 24, 2020, 9:55 am
#1174
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
I'm still booked on Cathay for SIN-HKG-SFO on July 1, and spoke to a CX agent last week. They firmly believe the transit restriction will expire on June 20, because that's what the original order says. It's not indefinite, and apparently doesn't require government action to lift it. Hence Cathay's addition of a number of new flights starting late June, including SFO.
May 26, 2020, 2:06 am
#1176
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,852
Perhaps it won't be an idea to march though HKG sloganeering for the re-opening of CX's lounges with the chant of "Five lounges, not one less!"
(Yeah, I know there are six lounges – 2 x Pier 2 x Wing, Bridge and Deck – but are you gonna be that person who spoils the joke?)
(Yeah, I know there are six lounges – 2 x Pier 2 x Wing, Bridge and Deck – but are you gonna be that person who spoils the joke?)
May 26, 2020, 2:40 am
#1177
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 481
Perhaps it won't be an idea to march though HKG sloganeering for the re-opening of CX's lounges with the chant of "Five lounges, not one less!"
(Yeah, I know there are six lounges – 2 x Pier 2 x Wing, Bridge and Deck – but are you gonna be that person who spoils the joke?)
(Yeah, I know there are six lounges – 2 x Pier 2 x Wing, Bridge and Deck – but are you gonna be that person who spoils the joke?)
not linked - well not for front of house.
May 26, 2020, 10:44 pm
#1178
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX DM (OWE), TK Elite (*A Gold)
Posts: 202
Any idea when the schedule will be released that includes transit? Trying to get someone from Ho Chi Minh to China (anywhere).
Last edited by beach86; May 27, 2020 at 3:53 am
May 27, 2020, 12:20 am
#1180
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
May 27, 2020, 4:24 am
#1182
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX Diamond (OW Emerald), former SQ Krisflyer Gold
Posts: 2,527
They've been zeroed out in all classes including Y/W/J.
May 27, 2020, 1:05 pm
#1183
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Do you have any link/details re planned ramp-up? I seem to recall that HKG-LAX was planned to go from currently 2x to 5x/week beginning of June, but cannot find any updated information about it.
May 27, 2020, 1:33 pm
#1184
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Brisbane
Programs: BAEC Blue/Bronze, Krisflyer, Qantas
Posts: 419
https://loyaltylobby.com/2020/04/29/...until-june-30/
I’m pretty sure they released some July details too but maybe I was mistaken as I can’t find anything online although a few flights can now be found on Google flights etc