Hong Kong's flagship carrier on Monday vowed to recruit more pilots to join its workforce, as the first batch of 30 cadets from the mainland finished training and started operating flights.

Cathay Pacific had welcomed a total of 60 mainland cadets to its pilot training programme from more than 750 applicants since the scheme's expansion in 2023.

The scheme, which also trained a record high of more than 1,100 local cadets, takes aspiring pilots through training in Hong Kong, the United States and Australia.

Chris Kempis, the airline's director of flight operations, was hopeful of bringing in more pilots.

"The rate of training and the number of cadets we've had since the end of the pandemic has been a record... We want to build a more steady state of growth as we go from 2025 towards 2030," Kempis said.

"But the opportunities presented by the strong hub created here in Hong Kong as Hong Kong Airport grows and the three-runway system gains full efficiency give us a real opportunity for growth, and the availability of pilots both from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world will be the mainstay going forward."

Kempis also said Cathay may expand the programme to recruit trainees from outside the country, targetting those who are familiar with Hong Kong and those coming from top universities.

Among the new pilots is Robert Sun from northern China, who once worked as a mechanic for Cathay in Beijing.

"I really enjoyed that big blend pot for different cultures around the world. You get to meet different people from different areas, and you get to learn their culture. I think that's really exciting," Sun said.

"Anytime I have any questions, there will be other Hong Kong locals or people living in Hong Kong for a long time, they'll be more than happy to give me advice and help me with whatever issue I have."