22 May 2025
#4 May 2025: China Aviation Industry Newsletter
Cathay Pacific Celebrates First Cadet Pilot Graduates from In-House Training Academy
Cathay Pacific has marked a significant milestone with the graduation of 34 cadet pilots, the first cohort to complete their ground theory and MCC (Multi-Crew Cooperation) training entirely in-house at the Cathay Academy. The cadets also received flight training at AeroGuard Flight Training Center in Arizona, before returning to Hong Kong for simulator-based MCC training. All graduates have now joined Cathay Pacific as Second Officers and begun active flying duty.
Alex McGowan, Cathay’s Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer, stated:
“This graduation carries special significance as it marks our first group of cadet pilots to go through our very own Cathay Academy ground school… This enables us to ensure the highest quality training, get closer to our future pilots, and enrich their overall experience.”
With over 500 cadets currently enrolled, this move represents Cathay’s push to localise and scale aviation talent development, and affirms the airline’s commitment to rebuilding its pilot pipeline following pandemic-related disruptions.
China Southern Airlines Becomes Asia-Pacific Launch Customer for RECARO R3 Economy Seats
China Southern Airlines has selected the RECARO R3 economy class seat, becoming the launch customer in the Asia-Pacific region. The partnership is aimed at delivering enhanced passenger comfort across long-haul routes, aligning with China Southern’s ambition to elevate the travel experience.
The RECARO R3 seat features:
- Optimised ergonomics and lumbar support
- Six-way adjustable headrest with patented neck support
- 13.3-inch 4K IFE screens
- Enhanced seat cushion for long-haul journeys
Yongchao Zeng, EVP at China Southern Air Holding Company Limited, said:
“Comfort in our passenger’s travel experience is a top priority. We are proud to partner with RECARO, who is renowned for its heritage of delivering highly ergonomic and comfortable seats.”
This selection demonstrates a shift in airline focus toward passenger-centric innovation, especially in the high-competition economy cabin segment.
East Midlands Airport Signs Strategic Cargo Deal with China’s YunExpress and Central Airlines
East Midlands Airport (EMA) has secured a landmark partnership with YunExpress and Central Airlines, marking the first Chinese cargo operators to begin service at the UK airport. The agreement sees twice-weekly Boeing 777F flights between China and EMA, with plans to scale up frequency in the near future.
Steve Griffiths, Managing Director of East Midlands Airport, commented:
“These new operators are a major coup for the airport… We have capacity for more cargo flights, can operate 24/7, and can quickly get goods from aircraft to anywhere in the UK.”
This strategic move reinforces EMA’s position as the UK’s leading express air freight hub, especially as larger hubs face capacity constraints. The agreement provides YunExpress with long-term infrastructure and operational support, facilitating rapid cross-border e-commerce logistics between China and the UK.
Acumen’s Take
On Cathay Pacific’s In-House Pilot Training Milestone
By graduating its first cohort trained entirely in-house, Cathay is taking control of its aviation talent pipeline in a way that enhances both training quality and cultural alignment. With global pilot shortages looming, especially in Asia-Pacific, this localised approach allows Cathay to scale responsibly and rebuild operational resilience, while also aligning with Hong Kong’s broader goal of aviation workforce development.
On China Southern’s Partnership with RECARO
The RECARO R3 announcement is more than just a seat upgrade—it signifies China Southern’s investment in comfort as a competitive differentiator. In a region where economy class travellers represent a majority of traffic, this move sets a new standard for long-haul economy comfort. It’s also a sign of growing collaboration between Asian full-service carriers and premium equipment manufacturers, especially in the post-COVID passenger experience race.
On EMA’s Cargo Win with YunExpress and Central Airlines
East Midlands Airport is positioning itself as the most flexible and scalable UK hub for Chinese air freight, offering round-the-clock operations and fast inland distribution. With YunExpress expanding its logistics footprint globally and Central Airlines enabling reliable lift, this partnership meets rthe ising demand for China–UK cross-border e-commerce and just-in-time distribution models. Acumen sees this as a model cargo strategy in a world increasingly defined by direct-to-consumer logistics and regional cargo diversification.
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