Cathay sees challenging year as union seeks pay rise

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd Chief Executive Officer John Slosar told staff the carrier was facing a "very challenging year" and must reduce expenses as cabin crew seek above-inflation pay rises.

"We must tackle our cost base where we can," Slosar said in an article in the Hong Kong-based carrier's latest monthly in-house magazine. This is "a very challenging year," he said. He didn't specifically mention labor costs or wages.

Slosar highlighted a rise in fuel prices that has made actual fuel costs 6 percent higher than expected, along with a decline in fares and a cargo slump caused by the economic slowdown. The airline, which had a first-half loss, has this year quickened the retirement of older planes, grounded freighters and offered cabin crew unpaid leave to cut costs.

"Cathay's business will not be pretty this year," said Kelvin Lau, a Hong Kong-based Daiwa Securities Group Inc analyst. "It's watering down expectations from both employees and investors by issuing this update."

Cathay Pacific Airways Flight Attendants Union earlier this month requested a 5 percent wage increase for next year. Hong Kong's consumer prices were 3.8 percent higher than a year earlier in October. The union is in pay talks with Cathay, General Secretary Tsang Kwok-Fung said by phone. He didn't comment on Slosar's article. The group represents over 5,800 cabin crewmembers, according to its website.

Actual fuel costs have been about 6 percent higher than expected, Slosar said. That would have caused the carrier to exceed its high fuel budget by HK$2.5 billion ($323 million) if it had done nothing, he said. The airline offsets at least some of the higher costs through hedging and surcharges.

The airline is also facing higher charges in areas including airports, catering and ground-handling, Slosar said.

Chief Operating Officer Ivan Chu is overseeing a cost-cutting drive, he said.

Average fares have fallen by 4 percent from last year because of competition and slower demand, Slosar said. Top corporate customers in the finance industry have cut flying by more than 15 percent over the past two years.

"Many airlines are facing similar challenges and the competition for passengers is even more intense than usual," Slosar said.

Cargo sales are down about 13 percent from last year, and freight will probably generate "well below" the almost 30 percent of total revenue it can account for in good years, Slosar said.

Singapore Airlines earlier this month said it will park one of its 13 Boeing 747 freighters for more than a year to cut capacity after losses at its cargo unit. The carrier had a less-than-expected profit in the quarter ended September.