KA Integration project update
Integration is going well; and we have just reached the advance stages of integrating KA with CX. To recap:
1. There are no more KA staff apart from Flight Crew and Cabin Crew. Why? For AOC retention purposes only;
2. We are at the final stages of wrapping up the KA freighter fleet;
3. KA 'puppet' CEO's and GMO's weekly updates on now plagiarized versions of CX CEO and GMO/GMA updates respectively. For those who have not noticed, please read previous weekly updates or in fact start reading both respective airline updates to see the distinct similarities. KA managers are title holders only for AOC retention purposes and have no longer have any say in the runnings of KA;
4. CX SOPs are gradually being introduced. We plan to rid of KA SOPs and Ops manuals by the end of this year. Our final aim is to have CX operating all routes, through KA as a virtual airline if required on specific PRC routes. This will be achieved by obtaining a dispensation from the CAD, so that we can cross crew between 2 airlines;
5. If we are unable to acquire the CAD dispensation, we will plan to drop all our secondary PRC routes apart from Hangzhou, which will obtain slots for CX aircraft. We have now replaced some prime time PVG slots with CX aircraft. We will soon replace KA aircraft with CX aircraft on PEK routes as well. This is an on going project; and
6. On the marketing front, with have gradually reduced KA signages in PRC and increased CX signages to further increase the awareness of the CX brand in PRC.
The next step:
Once we the airlines have one set of SOPs and Ops manuals we plan to integrate the KA operating crew into CX.
We do not favour one pilot group over the other. As we have done in the past with ASL (in 2000 and 2008) and recently with KA, we will offer CX employment (COS 08 at this stage although this will be superseded if COS09/10 is introduced) to the remaining KA flight crew. Each flight crew will retain their rank and remain on their current fleet and join on the bottom of the common Aircrew Officers Seniority list. KA seniority will be retained for Staff travel benefits and expatriation purposes only.
Those who do not wish to join CX will be offered voluntary severence pay.