Cathay Pacific Delays/Cancellations

[Chicken]

Into the 9th week of rioting in Hong Kong, the last 2 nights escalated to setting rubbish on fire and throwing petrol bombs at police. You may want to divert from Hong Kong.

Multiple MTR lines had emergency buttons pushed, and doors being blocked. (in Chinese, RTHK 2019-08-05 HKT 07:46)

Over 100 flights cancelled over strike fears (Radio Television Hong Kong 2019-08-05 HKT 02:17 public broadcaster)

translated:
MTR indicates，Airport Express city pre check in service received notice from ground service contractors, some pre check in counters at Hong Kong station and Kowloon station unable to provide service. (in Chinese RTHK 2019-08-05 HKT 05:42)

An open letter is being circulated on the internet, signed as by air traffic controllers, asking those in the aviation industry to go on strike and protests, until government answers the 5 requests from the general public. From understanding, air traffic controllers would perform slow work, at least 30 applied for sick leave. (in Chinese, RTHK 2019-08-05 HKT 00:40)

 

[Melburnian1]

There are no delays today (thus far) on CX into Oz (except for one MEL-bound flight 13 late), but on routes such as HKG - MNL, four of the six scheduled flights have been cancelled.

 

[tomlee1986]

There are no delays today (thus far) on CX into Oz (except for one MEL-bound flight 13 late), but on routes such as HKG - MNL, four of the six scheduled flights have been cancelled.

Thanks for the latest update.. This is a message not just CX flights, but as CX is the major carrier of HK, thus I believe the following message is appropriate. Please don't bash me for this!!

For anyone who is travelling EX HKG today - regardless of which flight or which airline you are flying with, please arrive at HK international airport extra early today, as there has been major traffic jams all around the city all day. Airport express and in town check in with MTR may not be available for today. Hope this information is useful for everyone!

P.S. Please don't blame the MTR or the anyone at the city for the delay today, as this is a general strike in HK against the government policy. It is not against 1 company, but the whole of HKSAR government

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Heard that 30+ of ATC called in sick (50%), as did over 700 Cathay Pacific cabin crew.

 

[tomlee1986]

Heard that 30+ of ATC called in sick (50%), as did over 700 Cathay Pacific cabin crew.

that is correct sadly.. this is not about pay and conditions, but a general strike in HK against the government

 

[Chicken]

that is correct sadly.. this is not about pay and conditions, but a general strike in HK against the government

This maybe off topic, but the Chief Executive came out from hiding at 10AM Hong Kong time this morning, and pointed her fingers straight at the people doing protests and going on strike during press conference, did not admit any liability. Her press conference would only escalate the situation. Anyone flying via Hong Kong may want to call their airline and ask for alternate arrangement.

Protest challenging nation's sovereignty: CE 2019-08-05 HKT 10:39
'Government inaction, blame game' enrages critics 2019-08-05 HKT 13:39

 

[tomlee1986]

This maybe off topic, but the Chief Executive came out from hiding at 10AM Hong Kong time this morning, and pointed her fingers straight at the people doing protests and going on strike during press conference. This will only escalate. Anyone flying via Hong Kong may want to call their airline and ask for alternate arrangement.

I personally don't believe it is completely off topic, as it does relate to members in this forum, as may will fly to HK for business or other reasons ( My humble opinion only!) - thus this is important to be in this forum

 

[Chicken]

Latest update:

From Radio Television Hong Kong radio 1 program Hong Kong 2000 at 08:15 Hong Kong time this morning, an interview with chair of Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions. She claimed that from understanding, Cathay Pacific requires approximately 3000 staffs per day to operate, and over 1500 staffs did not work yesterday, which is over half the staffs required to operate the airline. Dragon Air requires approximately 900 staffs per day to operate, but over 500 staffs did not work yesterday.

As to why are people questioning where did those numbers come from, why did they count over 1000 staffs on strike by midday, that's because airlines operate 24 hours, so they started counting staffs on strike from hour 0000

 

[tomlee1986]

All Cathay Pacific flights to Australia is cancelled tonight.. HK international airport is closed from 6pm tonight HK time... this is impacting all Australia flights

P.S. ABC and SBS in Australia have also confirmed this news..

 

[Melburnian1]

All Cathay Pacific flights to Australia is cancelled tonight.. HK international airport is closed from 6pm tonight HK time... this is impacting all Australia flights

Great info.

'South China Morning Post' says that this is because protesters have swamped the airport because a girl shot by police could lose an eye.

 

[Melburnian1]

As one might expect from a 'home port' airline, CX was prompt in posting this comprehensive message on its site at 1845 AEST (1645 hours local time in HKG) :

Flight disruptions at Hong Kong International Airport on 12 August

www.cathaypacific.com

AFFer docjames made the point on another airlines' delays/cancellations thread that the closure to outbound flights affected flights that prior to 1800 were open for check in.

 

[tomlee1986]

As one might expect from a 'home port' airline, CX was prompt in posting this comprehensive message on its site at 1845 AEST (1645 hours local time in HKG) :

Flight disruptions at Hong Kong International Airport on 12 August

www.cathaypacific.com

Thanks for helping me delivering this important information to all members of the group... I was born in HK and enjoyed every minute in this group.. never thought I would be the first person delivering HK airport is closed for flights in an non weather event where lots of people might get hurt at HK international airport

 

[Melburnian1]

Thanks for helping me delivering this important information to all members of the group... I was born in HK and enjoyed every minute in this group.. never thought I would be the first person delivering HK airport is closed for flights in an non weather event where lots of people might get hurt at HK international airport

You may mean 'enjoy' - present tense.

AFFers would dislike losing you when you have good links to constantly developing news in a major region of importance to Australia.

So please continue to "enjoy" being on AFF!

 

[tomlee1986]

As one might expect from a 'home port' airline, CX was prompt in posting this comprehensive message on its site at 1845 AEST (1645 hours local time in HKG) :

Flight disruptions at Hong Kong International Airport on 12 August

www.cathaypacific.com

AFFer docjames made the point on another airlines' delays/cancellations thread that the closure to outbound flights affected flights that prior to 1800 were open for check in.

I don't mean leaving the group.. I mean getting information about traveling to HK!! I remember I first joined when I was about to travel on my own for the first time.. that was also to HKG... And I never thought today I would be the one to inform everyone that HK airport is closed for such a reason...

Fyi.. I will still be in the group now and into the future (to make myself very clear on this).. love everyone being so patient and kind to me for so long... Hugs to all of you!

 

[Melburnian1]

As at 2005 AEST, CX flight status had not been updated based upon my check of MEL-bound and MEL-originating flights.

For instance CX135/CX134 were listed as operating 'on time', but as with so many others, they have been cancelled.

 

[EestiTiger]

My flight from AMS-HKG-BNE was cancelled overnight. It was part of the final leg home to BNE. They have put me in SQ Business.

 

[Melburnian1]

The CX websites indicates that as at 0600 hours Hong Kong time on Tuesday 13 August, 98 outbound flights have been cancelled from HKG for Tuesday.

I couldn't see any Australia-bound flights listed among the cancellations.

CX105, the 0010 hours Tuesday HKG - MEL departed at 010 and is arriving at 1202 hours, 52 late.

CX110 and CX162, respectively the morning 0735 and 1015 hours SYD to HKG have been cancelled.

CX134, the 0730 hours ex MEL is also not running.

CX156 departed BNE on Tuesday at 0101, only six minutes late and is arriving HKG at 0717, 13 early.

So it very much depended on flight times at HKG last night as to whether flights operated.

 

[tomlee1986]

Just a quick update for CX flights out of HKG on 13/08/2019... HK international airport has just confirmed all flights tonight are cancelled again!!

 

[Melburnian1]

Thanks tomcut2000. Again, great information.

Check in was apparently suspended from 1630 HKG time (1830 AEST.)

 

[tomlee1986]

This message is not strictly related to flight cancellations.. but highly relevant to my posts earlier... The Australian consulate in HK is at HK international airport Arrivals hall A helping now... Green vests...

https://www.facebook.com/134633226604701/posts/2161312487270088