Cathay Pacific has issued a second round of staff reductions, cutting 400 staff in Level A, B and non-managerial C positions. The new cuts follow on from the slashing of 190 staff in May, most in middle and senior management as well as from the IT department.

Today's cuts excluded engineering, flight operations, HR, training, cargo, finance, and administrative support teams.

Tom Owen, HR Director, said that it was a "tough day for everyone".

Cathay Pacific local staff union chairman Zhu Xianchang told ON.cc that the number of affected staff is actually smaller than expected. Following union negotiations with the company, it is understood that more staff reductions will come about through natural attrition.

Commenting on the restructure last month, Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg said that it was a necessary step. "As we look to the future we will have a new structure that will make us leaner, faster and more responsive to our customers' needs," Hogg said. "It is the first step in the transformation of our business."