In brief
Cathay Pacific says 34 cadet pilots have graduated after completing a programme whose ground theory instruction was provided in-house by Cathay Academy for the first time. The graduates joined the airline as Second Officers and have begun flying duties. Their training also included flight instruction in Arizona and simulator-based Multi Crew Cooperation training in Hong Kong. The airline reports that more than 500 cadets are currently in training and that the programme has trained more than 1,000 people since 2022. Cathay Pacific says it operates courses developed with Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Cathay Academy. The programme began in 1988, and the airline targets recruiting more than 130 cadet pilots in 2025 as a group.
Key takeaways
- The 34 graduates completed ground theory training delivered by Cathay Academy for the first time.
- Graduates joined Cathay Pacific as Second Officers and have started flying duties.
- More than 500 cadet pilots are currently training, according to the airline.
- Cathay Pacific targets recruiting more than 130 cadets in 2025 as an airline group.
Reaffirming the airline’s commitment to nurturing aviation talent in Hong Kong
May 20, 2025 -- Cathay Pacific was delighted to celebrate the graduation of its latest batch of cadet pilots who completed the Cadet Pilot Training Programme. It also marks the very first time that graduates’ ground theory training was conducted in-house by Cathay Academy, demonstrating Cathay’s expertise in creating and delivering tailored and comprehensive training.
In addition to the theoretical ground training, these cadet pilots also underwent flight training at AeroGuard Flight Training Center in Arizona and Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC) training in flight simulators with Cathay Academy before graduating from the programme. These 34 graduates have since joined Cathay Pacific as Second Officers and commenced flying duty. Currently, there are more than 500 cadet pilots in training as part of the Cadet Pilot Training Programme.
Cathay Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer Alex McGowan welcomed Civil Aviation Department Acting Director-General of Civil Aviation Clara Wong as the guest of honour at the graduation ceremony, which was held on 16 May at the airline’s Cathay City headquarters.
Acting Director-General of Civil Aviation Clara Wong said: “For over 35 years, Cathay Pacific’s cadet pilot training programme has served as a cornerstone for nurturing local aviation talent. From engaging more flying schools around the world, to having theory courses taught by local institutions, and now Cathay Academy, together we are making history. This evolution aims to make pilot training more effective, efficient and sustainable.”
Cathay’s Alex McGowan said: “Developing aviation talent has always been a priority for Cathay. Our Cadet Pilot Training Programme provides us with world-class aviators, many of whom have gone on to hold senior training positions with us, as well as key flying leadership roles.
“Today’s graduation carries special significance as it marks our first group of cadet pilots to go through our very own Cathay Academy ground school, including Multi Crew Cooperation training in our simulators. This enables us to ensure the highest quality training, get closer to our future pilots, and enrich their overall experience. It also expands our ability to develop future generations of aviation talent locally.
“Our sincere appreciation goes out to the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Civil Aviation Department for their unwavering support.”
Cathay Pacific currently operates multi-path integrated courses for training its cadet pilots, including courses developed with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and its in-house Cathay Academy. Each course sees cadets first undertake theoretical ground training, then flight training at AeroGuard Flight Training Center in Arizona or Flight Training Adelaide in Adelaide, followed by multi-crew simulator training also developed by Cathay Academy at the airline’s Cathay City headquarters in Hong Kong.
Cathay Pacific’s Cadet Pilot Training Programme was launched in 1988. Graduates of the programme include 185 Captains, more than 40 of whom are Training Captains. The airline also has seven management pilots who originated from this programme.
Since 2022, the Cadet Pilot Training Programme has provided training for more than 1,000 cadet pilots. As Cathay continues to play its part in elevating Hong Kong’s status as a leading international aviation hub, it targets to recruit more than 130 cadet pilots in 2025 as an airline Group.
Enrolment for the Cathay Pacific Cadet Pilot Training Programme is open, and the airline greatly encourages aspiring pilots to visit the following link for information on the application criteria and the benefits of a rewarding career:
https://careers.cathaypacific.com/jobs/cadet-pilot-programme-2590883
Civil Aviation Department Acting Director-General of Civil Aviation Ms Clara Wong (standing, seventh from left), Cathay Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer Alex McGowan (standing, seventh from right), Cathay Director Flight Operations Captain Chris Kempis (standing, sixth from left), Cathay Director People Patricia Hwang (standing, sixth from right), and Cathay Pacific’s senior management celebrated the achievements of the cadet pilot graduates.
Civil Aviation Department Acting Director-General of Civil Aviation Ms Clara Wong (third from left), Cathay Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer Alex McGowan (third from right) and Cathay Pacific’s senior management congratulated the cadet graduates on their achievements.
Cadet graduates Tony Yung and Kellie Chiu and Cathay Pacific Training Manager (Pilot Development) Captain Joe Fung pictured at a flight simulator.
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Questions around this news
What training did the newly graduated cadet pilots complete?
The graduates received ground theory training through Cathay Academy, then completed flight training at AeroGuard Flight Training Center in Arizona. They also undertook Multi Crew Cooperation training in flight simulators with Cathay Academy in Hong Kong. After graduating, the 34 pilots joined Cathay Pacific as Second Officers and began flying duty.
How many cadet pilots are in training, and how many does Cathay plan to recruit in 2025?
The release says more than 500 cadet pilots are currently in training through the Cadet Pilot Training Programme. It also says Cathay, as an airline group, is targeting recruitment of more than 130 cadet pilots in 2025. Applications for the programme are open, with eligibility criteria and other information available through the careers link in the release.
What is Multi Crew Cooperation training?
Multi Crew Cooperation training prepares pilots to work together as a flight crew. In simulator sessions, pilots practise coordinating tasks, sharing information, making decisions and managing normal and unexpected situations. The aim is to build effective teamwork and communication between crew members, alongside their individual flying skills.
What is ground theory training for pilots?
Ground theory training covers the knowledge pilots need before and alongside practical flight instruction. Depending on the course, subjects may include aircraft systems, meteorology, navigation, flight planning, regulations and human performance. It is typically taught in a classroom or other learning environment, rather than in an aircraft.
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