"Pilot Infected in Germany Spreads Virus to Hundreds in Community"… Cathay Pacific Fires 3 Pilots

Infected While Staying in Germany...Hundreds Infected in the Community
False Report Claiming No Exit from Hotel in Germany...Punishment Expected
Cathay Pacific "Serious Violation of Quarantine Rules"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific has announced the dismissal of three of its pilots for violating COVID-19 prevention regulations. The pilots were infected with COVID-19 while staying in Germany and subsequently spread the virus to Cathay Pacific headquarters and the local community upon returning to Hong Kong. As COVID-19 cases surge again mainly in the US and Europe, airlines worldwide are expected to strengthen management of pilots and crew members.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 18th (local time), Cathay Pacific announced the dismissal of three of its pilots on the same day for violating quarantine measures. In a statement, Cathay Pacific said, "Following an investigation into the COVID-19 infection and spread involving three pilots who stayed in Frankfurt, Germany, serious breaches of quarantine protocols were found," explaining the reason for the dismissals.

The Hong Kong government also expressed regret over the measure. The Hong Kong Transport and Housing Bureau issued a statement after Cathay Pacific’s announcement, saying, "We deeply regret the failure of the cargo crew members to comply with quarantine rules, which is unacceptable," and added, "Considering the seriousness of the incident, we have instructed Cathay Pacific to take care to prevent such incidents from recurring."

According to investigations by Hong Kong health authorities and Cathay Pacific, the three pilots were confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 while staying in Frankfurt, Germany, last month. SCMP reported, citing sources from Cathay Pacific, that the pilots violated company rules by leaving their hotel during their stay in Germany.

However, after returning to Hong Kong, they reportedly told health authorities that they had not left their hotel during their stay in Germany. Before their positive diagnosis was confirmed, they are believed to have spread COVID-19 within Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong headquarters and the local community. As a result, 150 Cathay Pacific employees were quarantined, and since one of the pilots’ wives is a teacher at an international school in Hong Kong, about 120 students at that school were also quarantined.

Following their dismissal, the pilots are expected to face additional penalties under Hong Kong’s COVID-19 prevention ordinance. In Hong Kong, deliberately submitting false information related to COVID-19 to health authorities can result in a fine of up to HKD 10,000 (approximately 1.5 million KRW) and imprisonment for up to six months.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.