Cathay Dragon chief to take top job at Hong Kong newcomer Greater Bay Airlines

[Adam Nams]

Industry veteran Algernon Yau is retiring from Cathay Group after nearly four decades with the company (https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3115598/cathay-dragon-chief-take-top-job-hong-kong-newcomer)


The chief executive officer of the now-defunct regional airline Cathay Dragon will take the top job at Greater Bay Airlines (GBA), in a coup for the upstart carrier.

Algernon Yau Ying-wah, 62, will start his new CEO role on January 4, next Monday, according to an internal GBA memo seen by the Post and confirmed by multiple industry insiders, after formally retiring this week from his current post with Cathay Group (https://www.scmp.com/topics/cathay-pacific) after almost four decades with the company.In the memo, Hong Kong mogul Bill Wong Cho-bau, who is launching the fledging GBA airline in the city, asked staff to welcome Yau and support him in his new appointment.

The appointment will bolster GBA as it works through regulatory approval for its launch, including securing an air operator’s certificate and an air transport licence to permit it to run scheduled flights from Hong Kong to any destination.

[doolay]

Anyone else getting the feeling that CX is well and truly done?

[Avinthenews]

Rumour GBA will absorb CPA/HKE in the future (2025) and the group be rebranded collectively as CHINA PACIFIC.

[Drc40]

doolay

Not sure about “truly done” but definitely not the world class carrier it was once thought to be.

This new airline can not be good news for CX. They’ll have the advantage of obtaining equipment and desperate crew at rock bottom prices resulting in minimal operating costs. Conversely they’re looking at a dead market with month after month of 98-99% pax reductions. While that will change it remains to be seen just what HK is going to look like post COVId. I think most would be surprised if it regains anywhere near its previous levels but the question remains just how much? HK has seen one of the worlds biggest traffic hits. Chek Lap Kok is a bloody ghost town. Sad

[Rie]

If GBA are going to be paying the UO COS21 then good luck to them. Won't find any suitable drivers for that kind of money, everyone would be better in their own countries or Middle East. That will have to start looking elsewhere for the leftovers. It won't be great for business.

Any left over 73 captains will just go to China once the pandemic ends. Even their new COS is better than COS21. FO wise they should have a few leftover/angry at COS18 local candidates but the big thing will be any form of decent experience on type.

In the end a bus is more suited to a cadet/low experienced pilot than a 73.

[Drc40]

Don’t underestimate the market value of “desperation”. It’s a powerful beast. I know plenty that will work for pennies right now just to bring in something. Sad but true

[QNH set]

Unless GBA is owned by Air China, which it is not. CX will be completely owned by Air China in the future. New and cheaper contracts, with lower operating costs, CX has been positioning itself to be sold to Air China for many years, COVID has just helped align the costs.

[Oasis]

wow, I’ve never heard that one before...

swire will never sell

[Cpt. Underpants]

wanna bet?

[Flex88]

Yes I would take that bet.. It's a shell game and the insiders ( #PRC) will be the one to find the winning shell... It's fixed.
It's happening now in plain sight if you look. Who in their right mind would be setting up ANOTHER air carrier in HK at a time where overcapacity worldwide is and will stay at historical highs for decades ?? The winner will NOT have the words China, Cathay or likely HongKong in their Company handle...

[iamlistening]

Capt. Underpants, what an honor to have you back! Getting bored in your retirement?

[krismiler]

The Chinese government set up Air China, China Eastern and China Southern Airlines back in 1988 when it reorganised the CAAC Airline into region specific entities. It wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibilities to set up another entity covering the Pearl River Delta area and simply amalgamate the existing operators.

[Farman Biplane]

Bingo!
That solves the pesky problems of Hainan Group and Cathay Group not being fully “aligned” with current leadership.

[Pistolpete47]

Surely Dragon Air highlights the danger of too much amalgamation. How easy was it for CX to carve off a fair chunk of the company when they are a separate entity.

[deja vu]

Just out of interest, how many Dragon flight ops management types got a gurnsey at CX, Im betting quite a few.

[anxiao]

Swires will sell if it suits them.

I have mentioned before on this forum that in the mid 1980s at a pilot-management meeting, as we had in those days, Sir (then Mr) Adrian Swire mused over a question that he didn't think Swires would be involved in aviation after 2025. I was fascinated at the clarity of forward planning that such a statement implied.

There is a future for aviation in Hong Kong, and for most people that want to be involved in it. As we all know, there is not a future for A scale expatriate staff. The cheese has been moved, and we have to realise that there is no "Cathay" left. There will be a selection of low cost airlines and one or two larger entities with slightly higher remuneration.

The very best to you in 2021.

[Pickuptruck]

Anyone else getting the feeling that CX is well and truly done?
You're either on drugs or dropped as a child. You're assuming China Southern are going to roll over as well?

[Flex88]

GBA's new Chief has much practice in kowtowing to the #PRC & CAAC. As such, he'll ensure EVERY CAAC directive will be followed to the letter and CX will soon follow.

https://www.rebelnews.com/china_recommends_diapers_for_flight_attendants_to_prevent_co vid_spread

[hafiz86]

can anyone pass me the recruitment email for GBA ?
any idea on their T&C?....i heard that it will be 737 ops...will they take a320 fo as non rated for 737?

when will gba actively recruit and how many ac initially?

[TheGreenDragon]

You might need to brush up on your mandarin if you are not local. Indeed, If you are not one of Over 200 local hk pilots laid off after the demise of Dragon , then you’re at a significant disadvantage . If you are from hk, then good luck. Most expats from ka have jumped ship .
A few have jobs. Many not .

[Hugo Peroni the V]

Last time I looked the application had been suspended with 2000 applications for a dozen or so pilots (crews?). Preference to boeing time as will be 737 though that might have been superseded by KA demise. Supposedly 3 leased jets planned for spring. Pay was to be similar to a cX pilot on low monthly hours (flying pay on top?) but who knows if the CX group cuts have led to a new local benchmark and hence lower pay with GBA.

[Fly747]

HKE CoS21 is the benchmark.
HK PR only so very few will have a current rating.
3 ex Noggie 73s plus a 4th coming. First one to Shenzen next month for painting etc.
15 crews plus a couple of managers.

[hafiz86]

thanks fly747, hugo peroni n greendragon.
can i know what is hkcos21? and can i have the breakdown figures?
so GBA only goin to have 4 737 with only 15 crew is it?

how about future expansions?..any idea how many ac and how many crew needed ?
just need also the hr or recruitment email so that i can put in my application on the queue..

is there any other airline accepting 320 rated fo applications at this moment?

[Rie]

Hafiz, your name keeps popping up everywhere asking for jobs. 6000hrs in you should know the state of the industry. The answer to all of your requests is that there will be no jobs for anyone for a long time. 1200hrs 320 time is not competitive and you will not find a NTR job in Asia. I won't break down COS21 for you as its out there to find if you need. The pay is not liveable in HK unless you are single, enjoy cup noodles and a sharing a flat with a few helpers.

The plans for GBA are also out there. Just google them. I think you can read above as well that recruitment will only be for ID holders.

[Curry Lamb]

One of the requirements would be ELP 4, as an absolute minimum - just saying.

[CodyBlade]

You either very young or have no idea about 'Asian values.

And do you speaka Beijing Mandarin?

[pfvspnf]

hafiz8 is welcome to come to my country , but better to go to east Africa

[Pistolpete47]

Curry Lamb

Seriously! What is wrong with you people.

His posts were fine.

[Pistolpete47]

The answer to all of your requests is that there will be no jobs for anyone for a long time.

Thats just not true. GBA have obviously hired pilots in anticipation of starting operations, HK air cargo are advertising for 330 Captains. AirHK took on a few too. There are jobs, not a lot, but they are around.

[pfvspnf]

Aero vista is hiring

[Pistolpete47]

Bored with your life?