Facing the novel coronavirus outbreak from Wuhan, Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific is asking all of its 27,000 employees to take three weeks of unpaid leave in the coming months.

According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), Augustus Tang Kin-wing, the airline's CEO said in a taped video recording that the situation the company faced was "just as grave" as the 2009 global financial crisis.

"I am appealing to each and everyone one of you to help," Tang requested.

According to Bloomberg, Tang also stated that "preserving our cash is now key to protecting our business".

The airline is asking staff to take voluntary unpaid leave between March and June.

One of the most difficult times for airline

On Feb. 4, 2020, the airline revealed massive cuts in flying schedules of up to 30 per cent worldwide for two months and a 90 per cent cut flights to mainland China.

In the video released on Feb. 5, 2020, Tang said the recent Lunar New Year holiday, was "one of the most difficult" times the company ever faced.

The Lunar New Year holiday is usually one of the most profitable times of year for the airline.

According to SCMP, Tang, who assumed the role of CEO in August last year, also acknowledged in the video that there was a drastic decline in the number of visitors to and through Hong Kong, mainland China, and the rest of the world.

Top image via Cathay Pacific Cargo