Chinese regulator warns Cathay Pacific on security issues

In this photo, taken on March 15, 2017, Cathay Pacific employees work at their counters at the international airport in Hong Kong. (File photo / AFP)

HONG KONG–The Civil Aviation Administration of China on Friday issued a warning to Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong for a number of recently exposed safety and security risks.

The administration said some flight personnel of Cathay Pacific had participated in violent acts and were charged for related crimes, but they were not being banned from aviation activities. Some passengers’ information has also been maliciously leaked.

Such practices have shown that there have been hidden dangers to aviation safety and security, and there are increased aviation risks from Hong Kong to the mainland, the regulator said in a statement.

The administration required Cathay Pacific to stop all its staff who have participated and supported illegal protests and violent activities in Hong Kong－as well as those with records of extreme behavior－from flying mainland-related flights or performing other duties related to mainland aviation activities beginning Saturday.

From Sunday, Cathay Pacific should report the identities of all crew members who are aboard flights to the Chinese mainland, or over the mainland, to mainland civil aviation authorities, the regulator said.

The airliner is also required to submit a plan to intensify its internal management and improve aviation safety and security to mainland authorities by next Thursday.

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How Cathay Pacific implements the requirements will affect the handling of such issues in the future, the administration added. /jpv