HONG KONG — Cathay Pacific is asking its 27,000 employees to take three weeks of unpaid leave while the Hong Kong carrier struggles with plunging revenue due to China’s virus outbreak.

On Feb. 4 Cathay announced a 90% reduction in flight capacity to mainland China.

The airline cut 30% of its worldwide capacity for two months.

Employees were asked to take “special leave” some time between March 1 and June 30, a Cathay statement said.

“Preserving cash is the key to protecting our business,” the airline said.

The airline used similar “special leave” in 2009 and during the 2003 outbreak of SARS, which also led to cuts in flights.

“I am appealing to each and everyone one of you to help,” said Tang.

Source: The Associated Press