FedEx Pilots Seek to Halt Hong Kong Operations Over Tighter Covid-19 Rules
29 July 2020 - 10:35PM
Dow Jones News
By Martin Mou
Pilots for FedEx have asked the U.S. courier to suspend Hong
Kong operations, saying the city's tightened measures to contain
its biggest outbreak of coronavirus infections are unacceptable for
the company's pilots.
A union for the pilots made the request recently after three
FedEx pilots tested positive for Covid-19 and were required by the
local government to stay at hospital facilities for up to 10 days,
Capt. Dave Chase, chairman of the FedEx ALPA Master Executive
Council said in a statement on Tuesday. Several FedEx pilots who
had tested negative for Covid-19 were required to stay in
quarantine in government facilities because they had been in close
contact with an infected person, Mr. Chase said.
The government mandates "have created unacceptable conditions
for pilots, including our Hong Kong-based pilots and their
families," Mr. Chase wrote. Pilots who test positive for the
coronavirus face compulsory admission in designated public
hospitals, with as many as five patients to a room with one shared
bathroom, he added.
The concerns raised by the pilots illustrate the difficulties
global companies face as they run up against different rules in
territories they operate in. This month, two U.S. airlines canceled
flights to and from the city over mandatory testing and quarantine
for aircrew, which they said caused too much delay and disrupted
flight schedules.
In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, FedEx described the
situation in Hong Kong as dynamic, with the government adapting
policies to prevent a resurgence of the virus. "We are fully
engaged with government authorities to support our crew members in
situations requiring medical treatment or self-isolation in Hong
Kong," FedEx said.
In many countries, including the U.S. and the U.K., pilots and
crew are exempted from testing, quarantine or self-isolation rules
that other visitors face. Airline crew were exempted from tests and
quarantines in Hong Kong until earlier this month, after a
returning cargo pilot tested positive for the virus.
Officials in the Asian travel hub further tightened rules this
week after an increase in confirmed cases among air and sea crews,
plugging a loophole that health experts have blamed for the Chinese
city's biggest outbreak yet of coronavirus, recording more than 100
cases a day for eight straight days.
Hong Kong now asks airlines to ensure aircrews minimize contact
with local residents during their stay in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong government didn't respond to a request for
comments. Dr. Chui Tak-yi, a city health official, earlier this
week said the tightened measures were necessary following a
government review of the epidemic.
Hong Kong's resurgence in infections came after local
transmissions had fallen to zero in early July. The virus has also
revived in Australia, Japan and two Chinese provinces where it had
all but vanished.
For companies looking to resume global operations, the fluid
global pandemic and sudden changes in border controls could make
tiding over during the economic downturn even harder.
Earlier this month, United Airlines and American Airlines
suspended flights to and from Hong Kong after the city imposed the
testing requirement for crew members. American Airlines said at the
time it considered a range of factors including travel restrictions
or entry requirements in making network decisions.
China, which sets limits on international service for both
Chinese and foreign carriers, has a circuit-breaker policy in place
that would suspend the service by an airline if it carries five
infected passengers or above into the country. The Civil Aviation
Administration of China has issued several suspension orders since
June on airlines including China's flag-carrying airline Air China
and Air Asia, a budget carrier.
The union representing FedEx pilots said the company conducts
significant flight operations in Hong Kong, which includes a crew
base with families.
"We are in contact with FedEx management as we advocate to
protect the health, safety, and well-being of our crew members
operating in Hong Kong," Mr. Chase said.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 29, 2020 08:20 ET (12:20 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2020 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
FedEx (NYSE:FDX)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
FedEx (NYSE:FDX)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024