How long do I have to work for Cathay after its cadet pilot training?
 

Hi there, I'm a permanent HK resident based in the UK and recently found out that Cathay is reopening its cadet programme, great news... but how long do I have to be tied down to Cathay for? My main aim is to stay in Europe, and having lived in Hong Kong I don't think I will enjoy being based there.

Ideally Cathay will open its London base and I will be able to continue living my life in the UK, but will that even happen? I've tried furiously searching for related info online and found out that they've reopened the business lounge so that's a good sign, but other than that I cannot find anything other than them closing the London base in 2021. This is really unfortunately timing.

I don't mind working Cathay for a long period of time as long as I can be in Europe because this is where my partner, my parents and my friends are, and clearly they are not going to move with me to Hong Kong. I am not sacrificing my relationships.

In a somewhat recent past, they bonded cadets for 7 years. You can still leave, but they will try to take an amount of money from you depending on your years of service.

Don't count on bases to reopen anytime soon. If they do, it will be due to extreme pressures from industry forces.

If you join as a cadet, you will start as a Second Officer. Even if they miraculously open the basis, they will unlikely give you a base at that rank. There is a high chance you may never upgrade.