Yes, 3 CX 744BCFs going to AHK. Let's see, that is 3 + 4 BCFs going to Air China for a total of 7 lost airframes. 10 -8Fs just got reduced to a net gain of 3 aircraft. WOW!!! And for those 744ERFs, well those were just 1 for 1 replacements for the 747 Classic Freighters (6 and 6).
So the only real growth was the BCFs that came in the last 5 years, but even those came with pilots to fly them (ASL, KA, and then Oasis
). So we get to keep the pilots and lose many of the BCFs, what a great deal for the original CX pilots.
Bottom line, anyone excited about growth in the freighter operation ought to reel in their enthusiasm. Flying will be outsourced and reduced as much as possible. CX still makes the money, but pilots get F-all in terms of upgrades from it.
And to those of you who thought out of seniority commands ended after the CoS08/SLS deal, think again... Not only will our jobs go to ACC and AHK, commands (flying freighters) will eventually be offered only on bases where one has to have the right to live and work to take them.
Don't forget the 20+ passenger 744s that will be running out of service life in the next 5 years. I sure hope those 30 A350s represent actual growth and not just aircraft replacements. Otherwise, we will be the only airline in the Asia Pacific region (ex-Japan) not growing.