Cathay cancels flights

Cathay cancels flights

HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Cathay Pacific Airways blamed a rise in
the number of pilots calling in sick for the cancellation of
eight flights Friday, amid an ongoing labor dispute with its
pilots.

In a statement issued late Friday, the airline said it
canceled round-trip flights between Hong Kong and Sydney, Hong
Kong and Jakarta, Vancouver and New York and between Hong Kong
and Cebu, in the Philippines. Two flights were canceled Thursday.

Cathay Pacific pilots launched a "work-to-rule" campaign in
early July, aimed at disrupting flights without breaking
regulations after negotiations over pay, scheduling problems and
working conditions fell apart.

The Aircrew Officers Association, which represents about 1,300
of Cathay's 1500 pilots, will hold a meeting next Wednesday to
decide whether to escalate the industrial action.