Cathay Pacific: Resignation of General Manager Rupert Hogg

Hong Kong, August 16, 2019 (AFP) – Cathay Pacific on Friday announced the resignation of its chief executive Rupert Hogg after the Hong Kong airline was called to order by Beijing.

China has criticized the company's staff for showing their support for pro-democracy demonstrations.

Hogg resigned, "assuming responsibility for the company's recent events," Cathay said in a statement.

Mr. Hogg has been replaced by Augustus Tang, a figure in the Hong Kong-based Swire Group, the largest shareholder in Cathay.

Another Cathay executive, Paul Loo, director of customer and business affairs, also announced his departure on the basis of the same reasons as Mr. Hogg, the statement said.

Last week, Cathay Pacific provoked the ire of Chinese nationalists after the participation of some of its 27,000 employees in pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong or expressed their support for the movement that has lasted for ten weeks.

Cathay's leaders hastened to reassure Beijing by distancing themselves from the pro-democracy mobilization, pledging on Monday to fire any employee supporting or participating in the "illegal demonstrations".

The General Directorate of Chinese Civil Aviation had demanded a week ago from Cathay the names of personnel on board its flights to China, or who cross its airspace, indicating that those supporting the pro-democracy movement would not be allowed on these flights.

Cathay Pacific has fired four staff members including two pilots.

jta / Ith

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS