According to Reuters (Hong Kong/Beijing) China’s aviation regulator today has demanded Cathay Pacific to suspend crew members, who were involved in illegal protests in Hong Kong, from operating flights into China’s airspace from 10th August, including flights bound for other destinations.
Tracing Back…
- There has been anti-government protest in Hong Kong for the past two months.
- A Cathay Pacific pilot was being charged with rioting last week for allegedly being involved in violent clashes with the local police, which happened nearby Beijing’s main representative office in Hong Kong.
- According to Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, 1200 Cathay Pacific cabin crew and pilots took part in the strike on Monday (5th August). More than 150 flights were cancelled.
More About The Order From China’s Aviation Regulator Today
The statement, released by Civil Aviation Administration of China, today mentioned that the crew members who were involved in the protests pose a threat to aviation safety in mainland China. The Chinese regulator is requiring Cathay to provide crew identification information for flights entering China’s airspace.
Response From Cathay Pacific
Response on Monday’s Strike
During the press conference on Monday, Cathay chairman John Slosar said that “we certainly wouldn’t dream of telling them what they have to think about something. They’re all adults, they’re all service professionals. We respect them greatly.”
Response on Today’s Demand From China’s Aviation Regulator
From the spokesperson of Cathay Pacific:
“We have received the directive and are studying it very carefully. We are treating it seriously and are following up accordingly.”
“The safety of our passengers is always the top priority of Cathay Pacific. There is zero tolerance for any inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour that may affect aviation safety. We deal with these incidents very seriously.”
Commentary: Implication Involved in This Order
Taking into account of “One Country Two Systems”, it is unclear at this stage if the order that is kicking in on 10th August will involve Hong Kong FIR. North and East bound flights out of Hong Kong are likely to be affected.
On a side note, it is also worth noting that Cathay is 22.7% owned by Air China.
Updates on 10th August – Day 1 of Implementation
- No noticeable delay and cancellations
- Cathay Pacific advises crew members to anticipate an increase in checks and different kinds of checks on both ground and flight operations.
- Two airport ground staff were sacked over information leak pertaining travel arrangement of a Hong Kong police soccer team who is bound for Chengdu.
Union based labour is governed by its union policies. If the union agrees to allow its members to join a demonstration this would be excepted by any non controlling democratic country. China has obviously by its actions on this matter shown it is most definitely a controlling government. Where will it end.
I cancelled my CX flights. This just reminded me of MH370 and MH17.
What a customer need is a safe flight.
The use of term dictate here is quite outrageous, every government regulatory authority has power over its own ground. CACC only bans the entry of Cathay pacific into mainland, just like the US bans Huawei over security grounds. Plus it’s not even close to a full fan. Can we use our basic judgement and forget about double standards( e
The European Union asserts a right or power over non-EU private airlines, for example in relation to denied boarding and delayed flight compensation, where such non-EU airlines are expected to comply with relevant EU regulations on this even where in their own territory there are no such rules.
Why do you think China should be any different?
Surely China hasn’t got the right or power to dictate to a private company such as Cathay Pacific? It’s outrageous.
Money talks. They can’t afford to lose the destination, so they’ll bend the knee. It’s abhorrent but this is what our world is now.