Cathay Pacific pilots have voted in favour of industrial action over the Christmas period after rejecting a proposed pay increase.
Some 93 per cent of Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association members have voted to push ahead with their first work-to-rule protest since 2001.
If a resolution is not reached, pilots will refuse to work outside of their contractual commitments, particularly during rostered days off. This could result in flight delays and cancellations during the year's peak travel season.
Last month, Cathay Pacific proposed a 10 per cent increase in pay, split across three years. While the rise would be higher than that offered in Europe and New Zealand, the offer has been rejected by the airline's pilots.
The Pilots Union today said that while industrial action is likely, it will be engaging in more talks with the airline, reports the South China Morning Post.
Cathay Pacific pilots will remember a similar pay disagreement back in 2001, which led to the sacking of 51 pilots, 49 of them in a single day. The decision ultimately led to a lengthy legal dispute between the "49ers" and the airline.
Clement Huang