Hong Kong-bound flights out of the UK have been cancelled after airport was locked down in the latest spate of protests sweeping the city.
The airport said it is working with airlines to resume flights from 6am on Tuesday, although the situation is becoming increasingly tense. China has described the protests as ‘sprouts of terrorism’.
Hong Kong International Airport announced at 9am UK time (4pm) local time, that all flights in and out, except those that had already boarded, and those en route to Hong Kong, would be cancelled.
Thousands of protesters entered the airport and Hong Kong International Airport said the demonstration had ‘seriously disrupted’ operations.
The UK Foreign Office advised Brits not to travel to the airport.
All 10 flights due into Hong Kong from the UK on August 12 have now arrived, but there is no certainty that return flights will resume tomorrow. Cathay is advising its customers to postpone non-essential travel tomorrow.
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Cathay Pacific all fly direct to and from the UK. Passengers on non-direct routes with airlines such as Lufthansa, Etihad and Emirates are also affected.
On Monday, two BA flights, one Cathay and one Virgin flight from Hong Kong to London were all cancelled.
Virgin said flight VS1207 is scheduled to depart Hong Kong on Tuesday with a delay.
BA said it is continuing to review its schedule and will provide a further update when more information is available
Cathay Pacific issued a statement on its website saying: "Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon have been informed by the Hong Kong International Airport Authority that all departing flights are cancelled today, Monday 12 August, effective immediately.
"The cancellation period will extend until the morning of tomorrow, Tuesday 13 August. This is as a result of the public assembly taking place at Hong Kong International Airport.
"Customers are therefore advised to postpone non-essential travel both today (12 August) and tomorrow (13 August) and should not proceed to the airport. Additionally, In-town Check-in services have been suspended.
Virgin and BA said flights from the UK to Hong Kong are currently operating as planned, but told customers to keep checking the airlines’ website and Twitter posts.
