FedEx Pilots Seek to Halt Hong Kong Operations Over Tighter Covid-19 Rules - The Wall Street Journal

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A FedEx plane at the Hong Kong International Airport. Unlike in many countries, pilots and... — A FedEx plane at the Hong Kong International Airport. Unlike in many countries, pilots and crew in the city are no longer exempted from quarantine and self-isolation rules.
Photo: South China Morning Post via Getty Images

By Martin Mou

July 29, 2020 8:05 am ET

Pilots for FedEx FDX 1.30% 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 Hong Kong over mandatory testing and quarantine for aircrew, which they said caused too much delay and disrupted flight schedules.

The Hong Kong waterfront. Hong Kong’s resurgence in infections came after local transmissions had fallen... — The Hong Kong waterfront. Hong Kong’s resurgence in infections came after local transmissions had fallen to zero in early July.
Photo: tyrone siu/Reuters

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.

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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 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 the Chinese city.

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.