Augustus Tang (BBA 1982): Soaring High in Aviation Management

Augustus Tang ’s (BBA 1982) childhood dream of flying has turned into a 40-year high-flying career in aviation management. After spreading his wings in fields such as marketing, air traffic rights negotiations, international affairs and outport management, Augustus shifted flight paths this year, leaving his role as CEO of Cathay Pacific Airways to become a Director at John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited. Through it all, he has pursued a constant quest for new horizons. “Appreciating the magnificent scenery from the skies is an unforgettable experience,” he said. “The perspectives I gained from various fields of aviation management have also enabled me to cruise the altitudes of senior management and appreciate the beauty of the big picture.”

Opening His Eyes to the World

Augustus’s involvement with the aviation industry began at a young age. His father used to work at the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO). One year, Augustus joined an aircraft tour when he followed his father to a company Christmas party held at Kai Tak Airport. As he stepped into the cabin, Augustus was captivated by what he saw. Combined with his love of travel, he joined Cathay Pacific Airways as a management trainee after graduation, embarking on a lifelong journey in the skies.

Almost every fresh graduate would love to have a job that allows them to travel and explore the world, and Augustus was no exception. He explained that he was positioned to various departments, in Hong Kong and abroad, and there were plenty of business travels. Apart from gaining diverse work experiences, he also got the chance to experience different cultures. All of these fulfilled his desire to explore the world. For example, when he worked in the Traffic Department, he learnt about the policies and operations of different airports, and while stationed in countries such as Japan and Malaysia he was able to understand their national policies and situations more thoroughly. These enlightening experiences allowed him to develop his international perspectives and grasp the secrets to integrating and applying his experiences and knowledge with agility. “Aviation industry connects the world, and it is inextricably linked to global political and economic situations. While basic knowledge and understanding are important, I prefer to take a panoramic view and examine the big picture objectively and calmly to stay ahead and seize opportunities.”

Augustus Tang became a Director at John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited this year and he hopes to help the company soar to new heights with his experience and network

Steering Through Downturns with an Eye on the Horizon

Augustus has witnessed a slew of challenges over four decades: the oil crisis, the 9/11 attacks, SARS, to name a few. According to him, the recent pandemic has been the most unforgettable of all. He pointed out that Hong Kong International Airport used to handle around 200,000 passengers per day, but the figure plummeted to several hundred by April 2020. Aviation industry almost came to a standstill due to border closures and quarantine measures. “In the early stage, we expected the pandemic to follow a similar trajectory to SARS and would end in about six months, we already had a response plan in place. No one would have expected that the pandemic would drag on, our passenger traffic-driven revenue took a nosedive to less than 1% of pre-pandemic level, putting tremendous strain on our operations.”

Augustus’s macro perspectives not only helped him remain calm during these trying times, but also provided guidance and confidence to his team. “If you could step back from a challenge and assess the situation with broader perspectives, you would find that our edges have not changed: our team is the best among global airlines, Hong Kong continues to enjoy extraordinary strengths as an international financial centre and aviation hub, and we have the strong backing of the Chinese Mainland and access to more than 80 million potential customers in the Greater Bay Area. Without a doubt, the prospects of aviation industry following the pandemic are promising.” He was grateful for his team’s shared vision, collaboration and resilience over the past three years. As the pandemic fades and travel resumes, a turning point has finally arrived.

According to Augustus, his management and working style were deeply influenced by his family. His father was trained by apprenticeship and always went above and beyond to complete his tasks. Augustus looks up to his father as a role model and also strives to give his all in everything he does. His grandmother’s teaching, “Don’t do unto others what you don’t want done unto you”, has also helped him develop empathy and, with time and experience, overcome his shyness. Through communication and collaboration, he has led his team to continuous progress.

As he looks to the future, Augustus hopes his experience and network can help the company soar to new heights, especially in areas such as corporate relations and stakeholder management, and play his part to contribute to the development of Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland.

Adding Wind Beneath a Leader’s Wings Through Communication and Negotiation

Augustus pinpoints that the interpersonal skills he learnt at CUHK Business School laid a solid foundation for his subsequent career development. He is grateful for the exchange experience he gained through AIESEC, which provided him with the invaluable opportunity to study and work in Yugoslavia back then and learn to work and interact with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. He encouraged Business School students to cherish the opportunity to work on group projects, improve their communication and negotiation skills and learn to reach a consensus with those who hold opposing views.

As someone who started his career as a management trainee, Augustus advised students who want to follow in his footsteps to have a broad understanding of international affairs and expand their knowledge. “Having fundamental business knowledge and skills is just the start. What is most important is to develop a macro perspective and a distinct point of view, as these are essential for standing out in the competitive business world.”

Augustus Tang (back row, fifth from right) had a fruitful school life at CUHK with like-minded peers

CUHK Business School alumni are everywhere, transcending geographical and industrial boundaries. To explore more inspiring alumni stories, please click HERE.