In the midst of pilot disputes and storms in NSW, Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 777-300ER landed at Sydney Airport last night, kick starting the airline’s plans to increase capacity between Sydney and Hong Kong.
The airline currently operates 28 flights a week or four daily services between Hong Kong and Sydney.
The Airbus A330-300s has been operating on all services until last night when the larger Boeing 777-300ER took over three flights per week.
The flights are – CX138/139 or Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
From February 2015, the 777-300ER will be used on one daily flight between Sydney and Hong Kong. The A330-300 will continue to operate the other three daily services.
The airline’s regional general manager said utilizing the B777 on daily flights will add an additional 1,372 seats per week.
Additionally, the aircraft is fuel efficient, which should reduce cost to the airline.
The 777-300ER is in three-class configuration with 40 seats in Business Class, 32 in Premium and 268 in Economy Class.
“2014 has been a special year for Cathay Pacific in Australia – in March this year we’ve increased the total number of Australian flights from 70 to 74 per week which resulted in an increase of six per cent in the number of seats available for sale from Australia.’’
Nelson Chin, Cathay Pacific regional general manager
The plane’s arrival at Sydney Airport was a little delayed last night due to storms in Sydney.
The Australian gateway tweeted that ground handlers were required to leave the tarmac during lighting, which caused delays to several services.
| Flight number | Departure time in SYD | Arrival time in HKG | Aircraft type |
| CX110 | 0835 | 1455 | A330-300 |
| CX162 | 1125 | 1750 | A330-300 |
| CX100 | 1540 | 2200 | A330-300 |
| CX138 | 2220 | 0500 + 1 | B777-300ER |
| Flight number | Departure time in HKG | Arrival time in SYD | Aircraft type |
| CX139 | 0850 | 2050 | B777-300ER |
| CX111 | 1900 | 0715 + 1 | A330-300 |
| CX161 | 2125 | 0945 + 1 | A330-300 |
| CX101 | 2355 | 1215 + 1 | A330-300 |
Meanwhile over in Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific’s pilot union has pressed ahead with work-to-rule action over a pay dispute.
This is the first action Cathay Pacific pilots have taken since 2001, South China Morning Post reported.
According to Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association general secretary Chris Beebe, there’s such a shortage of staff that the carrier is “operating at maximum capacity”.
He said 1,700 to 1,800 pilots in Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia will take part in the action.
“It is unfortunate that a year of negotiations has brought us to this point.”
Chris Beebe, Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association general secretary
The work-to-rule action is expected to start today, with the union instructing its members to refuse to work overtime.
The airline expects the move will impact flights.
【Travel Advisory】Please allow ample travel time to/from the airport as public transport services may be affected in Central, Hong Kong.
— Cathay Pacific (@cathaypacific) September 29, 2014
