SYDNEY: Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways said on Wednesday it expects to report a substantial loss in the first half of this year and slash more capacity as the coronavirus outbreak erodes travel demand, after posting a drop in 2019 earnings.
It posted a net profit of HK$1.69 billion ($218 million) for the year ended December 2019, down 28% from a HK$2.35 billion profit in 2018. That was in line with an average estimate of HK$1.63 billion from 11 analysts polled by Refinitiv.
Cathay's performance in the second half of 2019 was hit by widespread, sometimes violent anti-government protests in Hong Kong. It also faced mounting Chinese scrutiny after some staff supported the demonstrations.
The airline is now grappling with a fresh crisis due to the coronavirus and said it has slashed capacity across its network by 65% in March and April, up from earlier plans for a 40% cut, as travel demand has been hit globally.
The airline said that at the end of February, planes were flying half-full despite capacity cuts of 30% and air fares had also fallen significantly compared to the prior year.
"Travel demand has dropped substantially and we have taken a number of short-term measures in response," Cathay Chairman Patrick Healy said in a statement.
"These have included a sharp reduction of capacity in our passenger network. Despite these measures we expect to incur a substantial loss for the first half of 2020."
Cathay said it had unrestricted liquidity of HK$20 billion and it expected to remain a going concern given the availability of sources of funds and cost-cutting measures such as asking all staff to take three weeks of unpaid leave.
Its major shareholders include Swire Pacific Ltd, Air China Ltd and Qatar Airways. - Reuters
source https://www.thesundaily.my/business/cathay-pacific-warns-of-substantial-h1-loss-slashes-more-capacity-KY2111792
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