Cathay Pacific on Monday denied that it doesn't have enough crew, saying it is running at 70 percent of pre-pandemic capacity. It made the comment after an association made up of Cathay Pacific pilots said Hong Kong's flag carrier was short-staffed, with over 1,300 pilots still needed to reach pre-pandemic levels.

The Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association says there has only been a net gain of 150 Cathay pilots since January 2023 and that this has been offset by many experienced pilots resigning. The association said, at the current rate of training, it would take Cathay at least three years to reach pre-pandemic pilot numbers.

In response, Cathay said the airline had enough pilots to support current flight operations and that it was in the process of recruiting. It also said more than 260 pilots had rejoined.

The airline said it had revamped pilot pay structures and boosted benefits and that there had been salary increases.