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Cathay Pacific boss quits after protest row | Cathay Pacific boss quits after protest row |
(32 minutes later) | |
The chief executive of Cathay Pacific, Rupert Hogg, has resigned in the wake of the protests in Hong Kong. | The chief executive of Cathay Pacific, Rupert Hogg, has resigned in the wake of the protests in Hong Kong. |
Mr Hogg said he was taking responsibility as these had been "challenging weeks" for the airline. | |
Last week, some of its employees took part in the protests in Hong Kong, but China ordered the Hong Kong-based airline to suspend staff who did so. | |
Cathay's chairman, John Slosar, said it was time to put "a new management team in place who can reset confidence". | |
Paul Loo is also leaving as chief customer and commercial officer. | Paul Loo is also leaving as chief customer and commercial officer. |
Mr Hogg said: "These have been challenging weeks for the airline and it is right that Paul and I take responsibility as leaders of the company." | Mr Hogg said: "These have been challenging weeks for the airline and it is right that Paul and I take responsibility as leaders of the company." |
'Reputation and brand under pressure' | |
Last week, Cathay Pacific had told its staff it would not stop them joining the pro-democracy demonstrations currently sweeping Hong Kong. | |
But on Monday Mr Hogg warned staff they could be fired if they "support or participate in illegal protests". | |
Cathay faced pressure online after China's state-run press fuelled a #BoycottCathayPacific hashtag, which trended on Chinese social media. | |
Beijing's aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), required Cathay to submit lists of staff working on flights going to the mainland or through its airspace. | |
It also had to submit a report on planned measures to "strengthen internal control and improve flight safety and security". | |
Cathay Pacific said that Mr Hogg had been replaced by Tang Kin Wing Augustus and Mr Loo by Ronald Lam. | |
Mr Slosar said that while Mr Hogg and his team had carried out a three-year turnaround plan, "recent events have called into question Cathay Pacific's commitment to flight safety and security and put our reputation and brand under pressure". | |
"This is regrettable as we have always made safety and security our highest priority," he said. | "This is regrettable as we have always made safety and security our highest priority," he said. |
The new bosses "have the experience and depth of knowledge of aviation and our people to be strong and effective leaders of Cathay Pacific at this sensitive time", he added. | The new bosses "have the experience and depth of knowledge of aviation and our people to be strong and effective leaders of Cathay Pacific at this sensitive time", he added. |
Hong Kong International Airport was closed at times this week in the wake of the massive anti-government protests that have paralysed one of Asia's key transport hubs. |