Should I stay or should I go - Hong Kong [protests]

[Saab34]

QF didn’t seem to get any of its aircraft out of HKG today either and cancelled everything in. Virgin got its 2 out this morning and has its two approaching HKG right now. Probably will do the same tomorrow send them out in the morning not overly screwing the operation as much as the Roo.

Expect some 330 to 737 trans con downgrades in the short term

 

[RooFlyer]

Actively blocking departures & surrounding and intimiding passengers. If the leaders think that's a way to court international support I think they are wrong.

I know the stakes are big for them, but it seems they don't want international support.

 

[JennyMG]

There’s DFAT staff on the ground last night, not sure if they’re still there at the arrival hall.

View attachment 181935

Yeah because the dark green vests are SO EASY to see. but at least they're there.
If the officials are there, it's both good and bad news. Bad because it's tricky enough that they think they have to, good because they think it's safe enough for them to be there.
I've got a full on trip there in January with husband and two sons. I'm hoping it will all be smooth sailing by then, but it could be the opposite. It could easily escalate.
Thing is, Hong Kong is one of those places that the whole world feels like they own. Not just China. It won't be easy for it to get 'brushed under the carpet' if things get tough there. It's only starting to hit the news with a more serious tone now, (mostly because the airport is involved.)
Something has to happen. The status quo was never, ever going to hold like it did when it was under UK government. China doesn't like anyone being individual or independent, and Hong Kong smells too much like an individual. Something has to crack.

 

[Hvr]

Was that at a change of Govt? . Seems to be so. From Labor to Libs, he was ousted(?)

No, he was dismissed in August 1999. The Howard Liberal government was in power from March 1996 until December 2007. The election prior to his sacking was in October 1998.

 

[33kft]

Important clarification from HKAA that in fact flights are not cancelled, only check-in services for outbound flights. This might be a learning off the back of yesterday's experience but the line seems to be that flights will depart and arrive as normal, allowing transit passengers to depart on their scheduled flights airside, however check-in services are closed and passengers will not be able to board from HK unless they are already airside.

 

[get me outta here]

Not that this has much to do w’ the topic at hand, but I meant he was a Labor man and the Libs didn’t therefore want him.

No, he was dismissed in August 1999. The Howard Liberal government was in power from March 1996 until December 2007. The election prior to his sacking was in October 1998.

 

[mini2]

If you have a look at the departure hall, it's as good as flights being cancelled.

Check-ins suspended as protesters swarm Hong Kong airport for second day

Demonstrators descend on departures area on Tuesday afternoon as airport tries to recover from crippling impact of Monday’s mass sit-in. Angry confrontations ensue between travellers and protesters blocking their path.

www.scmp.com

 

[Pushka]

Which probably effectively cancels many flights as airlines can’t run on simply transit passengers for long.

 

[mini2]

I think the last resort is PEK/PVG and get out from there if this persist. That involves a train ride to CAN/SZX or ferry to MFM then take a domestic flight to PEK/PVG. No wonder SZX airport shares saw a 10% increase today.

 

[desafinado74]

Typical obnoxious Australian abroad who thinks he's more important than everyone else.



That will only fuel the rumours that Chinese police/military are wearing HK Police uniforms to get involved.

Bet he must be thrilled that he has been used as a propaganda prop by the CCP. Watch him now getting lucrative business contracts from China.

 

[tomlee1986]

There’s DFAT staff on the ground last night, not sure if they’re still there at the arrival hall.

View attachment 181935

Can confirm they are there today

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

 

[moa999]

QF didn’t seem to get any of its aircraft out of HKG today either and cancelled everything in. Virgin got its 2 out this morning and has its two approaching HKG right now.

Interesting difference. Wonder why QF didn't at least try and get the aircraft out in the morning.

 

[Isochronous]

Actively blocking departures & surrounding and intimiding passengers. If the leaders think that's a way to court international support I think they are wrong.

I know the stakes are big for them, but it seems they don't want international support.

Where's the evidence of intimidation?

 

[mini2]

Is this harassment or intimidation? Not sure.





"You can't leave"


Bit of vision too -

 

[nickykim]

After yesterday’s cancellations, I sat at the Metz Station this morning and booked a Thai economy class fair CDG via BKK to Melbourne. I guess I will lose $ for return portion of the SAS business class seat, from CGD to Hong Kong but should be able to cancel the points redemption for the Virgin business class seat for Sunday night. I have to submit a tender by COB Tuesday, and am travelling with only an iPad. I can’t take the risk of getting stuck in Hong Kong and not getting the tender in. I will monitor what happens tomorrow to see whether I will be able to claim on my travel insurance. It doesn’t look good at Hong Kong airport at present...

 

[RooFlyer]

Where's the evidence of intimidation?

See mini2's post below yours.

 

[ellen10]

I am reporting back on my son and husbands experiences.
They were offered seats on a QF flight to Sydney via Brisbane departing at 8.15pm HK time. They went to the airport early at check in, after a long queue for check in they were offered seats on the direct flight to sydney. This is where it got messy they couldn't work out how to get to terminal 2 but a guy in a white shirt befriended my son and escorted them right through to the area where they need to head for departure via train for terminal 1 gates. Again they arrived at the boarding gates and the blackshirts were blocking it. However a terminal worker opened an emergency exit and beckoned them in his direction. The blackshirts rushed the door and tried to close it with baggage carts but my husband pushed through and kicked the door open to allow my son and him through and then about 6 others before the blackshirts starting dragging people back by their backpacks and closed the door.
Once inside the emergency exit door the worker ushered them into a lift which took them down 2 floors to another boarding area. A huge number of people were lined up but security held the lines they were through immigration in about 15 mins and away from the blackshirts who started swarming in trying to block the last people through security.
They said that things had started to get very ugly in the departures terminal, protestors physically shoving travellers and getting very aggressive. Shortly after son and husband got through (in fact they were one of the last through) they cancelled all checkins and told travellers to leave the airport.

Even now they have boarded but are sitting on the plane for 1.30hrs after scheduled departure. Who knows whats happening.

 

[desafinado74]

I am reporting back on my son and husbands experiences.
They were offered seats on a QF flight to Sydney via Brisbane departing at 8.15pm HK time. They went to the airport early at check in, after a long queue for check in they were offered seats on the direct flight to sydney. This is where it got messy they couldn't work out how to get to terminal 2 but a guy in a white shirt befriended my son and escorted them right through to the area where they need to head for departure via train for terminal 1 gates. Again they arrived at the boarding gates and the blackshirts were blocking it. However a terminal worker opened an emergency exit and beckoned them in his direction. The blackshirts rushed the door and tried to close it with baggage carts but my husband pushed through and kicked the door open to allow my son and him through and then about 6 others before the blackshirts starting dragging people back by their backpacks and closed the door.
Once inside the emergency exit door the worker ushered them into a lift which took them down 2 floors to another boarding area. A huge number of people were lined up but security held the lines they were through immigration in about 15 mins and away from the blackshirts who started swarming in trying to block the last people through security.
They said that things had started to get very ugly in the departures terminal, protestors physically shoving travellers and getting very aggressive. Shortly after son and husband got through (in fact they were one of the last through) they cancelled all checkins and told travellers to leave the airport.

Even now they have boarded but are sitting on the plane for 1.30hrs after scheduled departure. Who knows whats happening.

Thank god both your husband and son made it. So far i have been generally supportive of the protest movement, but i don't agree with such actions (Including the violence on the streets)

 

[Battymum]

What a terrifying experience for your family ellen10.
I hope they get off the ground soon and back in Oz safely.
How old is your son?

 

[Hvr]

I arrive in Hong Kong Thursday 15 August mid afternoon and departing Sunday 18 August early evening -

So Nicky, are you going to Hong Kong on Thursday?