Measures to Protect Employment Opportunities of Local Workers in Local Airline Market  (2012/11/28)

MR YIU SI-WING: President, regarding the Cross Base Flying Scheme which CX is preparing to launch, has any airline introduced the same or similar practice overseas? If the answer is in the affirmative, being an international metropolis, if Hong Kong forbids the launch of the Cross Base Flying Scheme by administrative means, will such an act be regarded as protectionism and thus affect Hong Kong's reputation? Or what is worse, will airlines abroad consequently adopt the same tactic and restrict the employment of Hong Kong flight attendants?

SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AND HOUSING: President, such a practice of redeploying cabin crew, which is relatively flexible and adjustable, is commonly adopted by airlines around the world. To our knowledge, British Airways, Japan Airlines and Korean Air allow outport base crew to engage in flight services outside their own base. The arrangements of these airlines are actually far more flexible than the Cabin Crew Cross-Base Flying Initiative currently proposed by CX. CX's trial scheme, which merely allows outport base crew to swap their routes, will absolutely have no impact on the working hours and remunerations of local workers.