Cathay Pacific has assured passengers a contingency plan is in place to minimise disruptions, should cabin crew decide to hold industrial action over the Christmas period.

Following talks with the carrier’s 6,000-strong Flight Attendants Union yesterday, Cathay Pacific general manager cabin crew Liza Ng said the airline was “equipped” to handle the pressure of a potential strike, but hoped the association and its members would be “considerate” and accept the airline’s latest offer.

However, the representative group’s vice-chairman Julian Yau said the airline’s boss failed to reply to their request for talks by yesterday’s deadline, leaving its members “deeply disappointed” by the carrier’s attitude.

Planning a vote on whether to take action next week, the airline said it was happy to continue “sensible” discussions but would not be swayed by the “threat” of its operations and the travelling public.

Although the union refused to reveal dates of any action, it did not rule out possible walk-outs over Christmas and the Lunar New Year, South China Morning Post reported.

The airline has thus far offered members a two percent salary increment for 2013; the union is hoping for a five percent increase as well as more rests between shifts.