The outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic in early 2020 has exerted a direct impact on service industries including the transportation and tourism industries. The global aviation industry in particular has been impacted on unprecedented levels.

The Cathay Pacific Group（hereinafter referred to as “Cathay Pacific”）operates four airlines. These are Cathay Pacific，Cathay Dragon，Air Hong Kong，and Hong Kong Express. With a fleet size spanning 236 aircraft，Cathay Pacific is based out of its home hub in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region（HKSAR）and connects Mainland Chinese cities with more than 200 cities worldwide. COVID-19 shares significant resemblance to SARS in 2003. After experiencing the SARS epidemic，the aviation industry has accumulated an understanding of the importance of an effective response to public health emergencies and has been prepared with various emergency mechanisms. This paper will review the experience and measures taken by the aviation industry during the SARS epidemic in 2003，discuss the impacts of the current impact of COVID-19 on the industry and explore how governments can support the recovery and rebound of the industry during and after the epidemic.