Yes, many carriers are given subsidies. However, unlike in the U.S. where at the drop of a dime, carriers furlough, it seems to me that overseas companies try their hardest to avoid furloughs or redundancies. In Cathay's case, they asked for unpaid leave from all staff. There was no requirement to take it but who knows what will happen if you didn't. I believe 92% of the flight crew's took it. Also, CX has to pay out 6 months salary if they furlough which does make it cost prohibitive. I don't know if other carriers have this or not, but I'm glad I'm at a company that is trying to do a little something extra before just 'slashing and burning'. They may in the future, but for now they are not.