Cathay Pacific urges employees to go on leave without pay amid virus crisis

Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific has asked 27,000 employees to take turns in taking unpaid leave for three weeks due to China’s virus outbreak
In a video message to employees, chief executive officer Augustus Tang said the situation was as grave as the 2009 financial crisis, The South China Morning Post reported.
On Tuesday, the airline announced a 90 per cent reduction in flight capacity to mainland China, which also cancelled group tours. Cathay has also cut by 30 per cent its worldwide capacity for two months.
The airline used a similar “special leave” scheme in 2009 and during the 2003 outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome, which also led to cuts in flights.
“I am appealing to each and everyone one of you to help,” Tang said.