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This does not bode well...

World News
August 10, 2019 / 8:30 AM / Updated an hour ago

Cathay Pacific suspends pilot arrested in Hong Kong protests

BEIJING (Reuters) - Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd (0293.HK) said on Saturday it had suspended a pilot arrested during anti-government protests in Hong Kong and that “overly radical” staff would be barred from crewing flights to the mainland.

The move followed China’s aviation regulator demanding the airline prevent staff involved in some of the protests in Hong Kong from operating flights to China, describing it as a safety issue.

The broadside poses a major commercial challenge to Cathay, which already reported tumbling bookings last week as a result of the anti-government protests gripping Hong Kong.

The airline said on Saturday in response to customer queries that the pilot had been removed from duties on July 30 “in line with our standard process” and had not flown since July 15.

“We express no view whatsoever on the subject matter of any proceedings to which he may be subject,” the company added in a statement.

For the past two months Hong Kong has been embroiled in increasingly violent anti-government street protests, which a Chinese official described last week as the greatest crisis since its return from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

The Cathay pilot, whom the company did not name, was among over 40 people charged with rioting, during clashes with police near Beijing’s main representative office in the city.

In a separate memo on Saturday, Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg told staff that in order to comply with the new regulatory demands it would not allow any crew supporting protests in Hong Kong to staff flights to the mainland from midnight on Aug. 10.

“Cathay Pacific Group employees who support or take part in illegal protests, violent actions, or overly radical behavior shall be immediately suspended from any activity involving flights to the mainland,” he said.

The memo added that the airline would submit identification details of all crews flying to or over mainland China to authorities there for approval.

“Cathay Pacific Group’s operations in mainland China are key to our business,” he said

Pretty clear who is calling the shots here....

“We do not condone any activities that jeopardize the stability of Hong Kong,”
In other words we will do what we are told. Oh dear. :=

Hong Kong is China now, so there you go

Quote:

Originally Posted by bringbackthe80s (Post 10542130)

Hong Kong is China now, so there you go

Cathay Dragon crews to be subjected to increased inspections primarily of their cabin and overnight bags.
Early flights today were held up as 6 cabin crew were pulled out and given the Spanish Chinese inquisition.
Telephones were requested to be handed over, and security personnel asked the crew to open up their phones for inspection. Apparently, the photo librarys were of particular interest to chinese immigration.
Not good.

Honestly !!! Just a question - what you think would happen if one does not hand over the phone for example.

Quote:

Honestly !!! Just a question - what you think would happen if one does not hand over the phone for example.

Just did a quick google and from what I saw even the likes of USA, Canada & Aus are able to search your devices if they have reason to believe you have done something illegal, so I guess for China the current climate may be a good enough reason :confused:

Could be anyones guess what would happen...

I just wouldnt take my phone with me on a flight to China.

If i desperately needed it down route, I'd just check it in.

They can’t live without instabook and facegram these days!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Threethirty (Post 10542411)

They can’t live without instabook and facegram these days!

You can't access either in China anyway.... probably one of the few advantages of going there actually!

CHINA, tracks absolutely everyone... That means, HK & Mainland, where you are , where you spend, where you travel, where you bank, and the second you cross the border - facial recognition (more than likely in HK as well)....

ENJOY, as now the company you work for is bending over for those across the border in defiance of world wide, UN declared Human Rights...

Thank you #Merlin

ENJOY !!!!!!!!!

#CXit

The West lulled itself to sleep, singing the lullaby that Chinese economic growth would result in a liberalised China.
With Winnie set for life the West belatedly wakes to the reality of a tyrannical dictatorship. Sleep replaced by the nightmare that Chinese expansionism is real, its intent clear.
For those of us observing HK it is very clear that this sets the tone for Chinese intent. Either we resist or we succumb, but the actions of those souls in HK ought remind us that the stakes are high.

The retreat of globalsation ought give pilots/flight attendants cause for concern. Flying into regions that the company (safe away from security forces) still deem "good for business" may not be good for one's personal rights, privacy and property.

You are all doomed and those who think this is ok. Piss off!!

And just in the threat from our CEO. Surprised it took this long. What happened to “At the same time, we always try to create a safe, supportive environment for all Cathay Pacific Group employees.” That was two days ago, now participating in a protest will likely cost you your job.

Cathay Dragon cabin crew and flight crews will bear the brunt of the increased vigilance from the mainland authorities. Merely transitioning chinese airspace doesn’t actuly put anyone at risk of being physically interrogated.

Having your phone or personal belongings being rifled through by some mainland security oink isn’t pleasant .

I have it on 3rd hand information that the overnighting KA crew for Nanjing were pulled aside after passing the xray scan, and the cabin crew randomly selected to surrender their phones, and be required to have their identities recorded.

With todays announcements that 1 million plus are going to descent on the hk airport, I would want to be on annual leave for this episode of HK’s history.

Where is the support for crews from the GM ?
What is the COO saying?

Swire will fire anyone who comes between the righteous way and their insatiable greed for profit .

1 Mill at the airport?????

Apple Daily is reporting suspected sabotage on a CX plane on the ground in China, but I'm not allowed to post the link...

I used to ponder what would herald the end of Hong Kong. I now actually believe we have passed that point, it just hasn't sunk in yet. This party is over. Don't doubt it. We'll all look back at this summer and realise that the end descended suddenly, and for many of us it is now too late. Get yourselves and your families out of here. It's finished.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurningFinalRWY36 (Post 10542947)

1 Mill at the airport?????

Certainly a lot of people - the Airport Authority has announced that there will be some limitations on aircraft movements after 1800L due to severe crowding in the terminal building.

(Sadly, I am unable to post links)

Looks like the entire shebang has fallen prey to the Angry Pink Menace.

Kinda poetic justice in a way though to the refugee pilots who thought they were escaping some despotic third world nation despite warnings from others. They just wound up trading one familiar bad situation for one unfamiliar bad situation.