HONG KONG, Dec 18 — Hong Kong’s strict adherence to a zero-Covid strategy is damaging the hub’s aviation industry and “killing” Cathay Pacific, a major shareholder in the city’s home carrier told local media.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker took issue with a border-control rule that temporarily bans airlines that have brought in infected passengers. Qatar Airways is Cathay’s third-largest shareholder, with a 9.6 per cent stake purchased for HK$5.16 billion in 2017. Those rules have been tightened over fears of the Omicron variant, which Hong Kong has recorded 14 cases of as of yesterday.Last month, British Airways announced it was suspending Hong Kong flights after crew members were required to quarantine following a positive Covid test among the staff.