Cathay Pacific Airways has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Hong Kong Express Airways (HK Express). HK Express is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific. Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer and HK Express Chairman Rupert Hogg said: “We are very excited to welcome HK Express into the group. We strongly believe that the acquisition is good for the travelling public, good for HK Express, good for the Cathay Pacific Group, and good for the development of Hong Kong as a global aviation hub. “HK Express will continue to operate as a stand-alone airline using the low-cost carrier business model. I would also like to reassure HK Express customers that there is no change to the airline’s operating model and that business will continue as usual. There will be more value fares and more destinations available to travellers. “We look forward to working with the HK Express teams to ensure a smooth transition and to continue to grow the airline in order to better serve its customers.”

Source: World Airline News

BALPA, the union representing British Airways pilots, has released this statement: BALPA’s industrial action ballot of members in British Airways has now closed, with a 93% vote in favour of industrial action on a 90% turnout. BALPA General Secretary, Brian Strutton, said: “This strong result demonstrates the resolve of BA pilots, and shows BA that it must table a sensible improved offer if a strike is to be averted. Sadly three days of ACAS talks have not moved the company’s position one iota. Settlement of this dispute is in BA’s hands. “We do not wish to inconvenience our customers which is why we have tried to resolve this matter through negotiation starting last November – it is BA who has regrettably chosen to drag this out into the summer months.” BALPA believes the cost to BA to settle dispute in full is significantly less than the cost would be of even a single day’s strike action. BA is making massive profits as a result of the hard work and dedication of staff, including because of sacrifices made during hard times. Thankfully BA is no longer in a fight for survival so, like the airline’s senior managers and directors, pilots deserve a small fraction of that profit via, for instance, a profit share scheme. We currently do not have dates for any potential strike action and will issue an update on this in due course. We remain hopeful that this dispute can be resolved before strike action, but we remain committed to action if necessary.

Source: world Airline News

Star Alliance operator EgyptAir is preparing to offer additional capacity on the route from Cairo to London, following the temporary suspension of British Airways services. The Egyptian ministry of civil aviation says it has "increased" the seat capacity of EgyptAir flights on the London Heathrow sector in response. British Airways is halting flights to Cairo for a week owing to security concerns, although it has not specified their nature. EgyptAir says that "additional flights" have been assigned to accommodate passengers affected by cancellations from other airlines. Extra services will be provided through deployment of a Boeing 787 on the Heathrow route, says the civil aviation ministry. Lufthansa had reportedly intended to suspend Cairo flights as well, but appears to have backtracked on the decision.

Source: FlightGlobal