Cathay Pacific Celebrates First In-House Cadet Pilot Graduation

Hong Kong – Cathay Pacific recently celebrated the graduation of 34 cadet pilots from its Cadet Pilot Training Program, marking a historic milestone as it was the first time the airline conducted ground theory training in-house through its Cathay Academy. The graduation ceremony took place on May 16, 2025, at the airline’s Cathay City headquarters.

The new pilots underwent extensive training, which included ground theory instruction at Cathay Academy, flight training at AeroGuard Flight Training Center in Arizona, and Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC) training in flight simulators at Cathay City. Following their graduation, these cadets have been appointed as Second Officers and have begun flying duties.

Currently, more than 500 cadet pilots are in training as part of the program. Cathay Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer Alex McGowan welcomed Acting Director-General of Civil Aviation Clara Wong as the guest of honor at the ceremony. McGowan emphasized, “Developing aviation talent has always been a priority for Cathay. Today’s graduation carries special significance as it marks our first group of cadet pilots to complete training through our own Cathay Academy.”

Wong praised the program’s legacy, stating, “For over 35 years, Cathay Pacific’s cadet pilot training program has served as a cornerstone for nurturing local aviation talent.” The airline plans to recruit over 130 additional cadets in 2025 as part of its commitment to developing future pilots and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as a leading global aviation hub.

Since its inception in 1988, the Cadet Pilot Training Program has trained over 1,000 cadet pilots, resulting in 185 Captains, 40 of whom serve as Training Captains, along with seven management pilots. This recent graduation signals Cathay’s persistent focus on high standards in pilot training and leadership excellence.