Hong Kong travellers brace for possible disruptions as strong winds hit UK
By Oscar LiuFan Chen
Hong Kong travellers heading to and from Britain are bracing for potential disruptions because of bad weather in parts of the country, with scores of flights cancelled at London’s Heathrow airport.
Heathrow said that about 100 flights had been axed on Sunday, 80 of which were operated by British Airways, because of persistently strong winds.
The adverse weather has led to disruptions across the United Kingdom as millions of people travel ahead of Christmas.
Hongkonger Libby Ngai, 26, said she planned to arrive at Heathrow three hours early on Monday for her indirect China Eastern Airlines flight back home.
“It’s quite windy, but public transport, including buses and trains, continues to operate without disruption,” she said.
“But after learning about the flight cancellations at Heathrow, I have decided to head to the airport three hours ahead of schedule.”
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By Oscar LiuFan Chen
Hong Kong travellers heading to and from Britain are bracing for potential disruptions because of bad weather in parts of the country, with scores of flights cancelled at London’s Heathrow airport.
Heathrow said that about 100 flights had been axed on Sunday, 80 of which were operated by British Airways, because of persistently strong winds.
The adverse weather has led to disruptions across the United Kingdom as millions of people travel ahead of Christmas.
Hongkonger Libby Ngai, 26, said she planned to arrive at Heathrow three hours early on Monday for her indirect China Eastern Airlines flight back home.
“It’s quite windy, but public transport, including buses and trains, continues to operate without disruption,” she said.
“But after learning about the flight cancellations at Heathrow, I have decided to head to the airport three hours ahead of schedule.”
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Singapore Post fires CEO, executives after whistleblowing report
By Bloomberg
Singapore Post fired its chief executive officer and several other senior leaders following allegations related to its international e-commerce logistics parcels business.
The Temasek Holdings-backed firm said on Sunday it began investigations after receiving a whistleblowing report alleging several employees manually submitted information with the intent of avoiding contracted penalties with one of Singapore Post’s largest customers. The whistleblowing report was also sent to the government regulator, according to a company statement.
Three managers were dismissed for the violations, and a police report was filed against them. CEO Vincent Phang, Chief financial officer Vincent Yik and Li Yu, CEO of its international business unit, were also terminated after the company found they were “grossly negligent” in handling the matter and made “serious misrepresentations” to the audit committee over the allegations.
The company plans on announcing a new CEO in due course and will appoint Isaac Mah, currently CFO of its Australian business, to replace Yik. Chairman Simon Israel will oversee the senior management of the company in the interim.
Singapore Post said it will pay a settlement to the unidentified customer. The settlement won’t have a material impact on the company’s net tangible assets for earnings per share or the current financial year.
Phang and Yik have indicated they will contest their terminations, Singapore Post said in its statement.
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By Bloomberg
Singapore Post fired its chief executive officer and several other senior leaders following allegations related to its international e-commerce logistics parcels business.
The Temasek Holdings-backed firm said on Sunday it began investigations after receiving a whistleblowing report alleging several employees manually submitted information with the intent of avoiding contracted penalties with one of Singapore Post’s largest customers. The whistleblowing report was also sent to the government regulator, according to a company statement.
Three managers were dismissed for the violations, and a police report was filed against them. CEO Vincent Phang, Chief financial officer Vincent Yik and Li Yu, CEO of its international business unit, were also terminated after the company found they were “grossly negligent” in handling the matter and made “serious misrepresentations” to the audit committee over the allegations.
The company plans on announcing a new CEO in due course and will appoint Isaac Mah, currently CFO of its Australian business, to replace Yik. Chairman Simon Israel will oversee the senior management of the company in the interim.
Singapore Post said it will pay a settlement to the unidentified customer. The settlement won’t have a material impact on the company’s net tangible assets for earnings per share or the current financial year.
Phang and Yik have indicated they will contest their terminations, Singapore Post said in its statement.
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Hong Kong police arrest man in connection with 6 burglaries in Sha Tin
By Emily Hung
Hong Kong police arrested a 22-year-old man on Sunday in connection with six burglaries in which HK$25,000 (US$3,210) worth of goods were stolen.
Officers received reports last week from staff of two schools in Sha Tin, which were believed to have been broken into in the early hours of December 15.
The schools reported losing three electronic tablets and some food.
Police arrested a man surnamed Lau on Sunday morning on suspicion of burglary, seizing tools he allegedly used in the crimes.
The suspect was also found to be connected to four other burglaries targeting a fast food kiosk of a sports ground, its staff lounge and restaurants nearby on Sunday morning.
He is being detained for investigation.
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By Emily Hung
Hong Kong police arrested a 22-year-old man on Sunday in connection with six burglaries in which HK$25,000 (US$3,210) worth of goods were stolen.
Officers received reports last week from staff of two schools in Sha Tin, which were believed to have been broken into in the early hours of December 15.
The schools reported losing three electronic tablets and some food.
Police arrested a man surnamed Lau on Sunday morning on suspicion of burglary, seizing tools he allegedly used in the crimes.
The suspect was also found to be connected to four other burglaries targeting a fast food kiosk of a sports ground, its staff lounge and restaurants nearby on Sunday morning.
He is being detained for investigation.
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China’s C919 jet faces crunch test as its network rapidly expands
By Frank Chen
China’s first home-grown passenger jet, the C919, is now serving 10 major cities across the country as domestic airlines move swiftly to deploy the new aircraft.
The aircraft, seen as a symbol of China’s achievements in tech and advanced manufacturing, also hit a new milestone on Thursday, carrying a total of 1 million passengers since its maiden commercial flight in May 2023.
The rapid roll-out will be a key test for the C919 as it strives to prove itself a reliable alternative to Boeing and Airbus’ single-aisle models, with more frequent flights posing challenges from deployment to maintenance.
“More flights between more cities mean real tests for the jet, but it can also raise its profile,” said Li Hanming, an aviation consultant.
China Eastern Airlines was the first carrier to put the new aircraft into service.
Since then, the jet has rapidly spread its wings to destinations across China as its manufacturer, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), has moved to ramp up production.
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By Frank Chen
China’s first home-grown passenger jet, the C919, is now serving 10 major cities across the country as domestic airlines move swiftly to deploy the new aircraft.
The aircraft, seen as a symbol of China’s achievements in tech and advanced manufacturing, also hit a new milestone on Thursday, carrying a total of 1 million passengers since its maiden commercial flight in May 2023.
The rapid roll-out will be a key test for the C919 as it strives to prove itself a reliable alternative to Boeing and Airbus’ single-aisle models, with more frequent flights posing challenges from deployment to maintenance.
“More flights between more cities mean real tests for the jet, but it can also raise its profile,” said Li Hanming, an aviation consultant.
China Eastern Airlines was the first carrier to put the new aircraft into service.
Since then, the jet has rapidly spread its wings to destinations across China as its manufacturer, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), has moved to ramp up production.
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Man, 70, drowns while swimming at Hong Kong’s Butterfly Beach
By Emily Hung
An elderly man drowned at a beach in Hong Kong’s New Territories on Sunday.
The 70-year-old, surnamed Lok, had been swimming at Butterfly Beach in Tuen Mun.
A lifeguard filed a police report at around 2.15pm after the man was pulled from the sea. He was rushed to Tuen Mun Hospital but was certified dead at around 3pm.
A postmortem examination would be carried out to ascertain the cause of death.
A number of drownings have been reported in recent months.
In early August, a 42-year-old man drowned at Ung Kong Wan on Bluff Island. He was on a boat trip and went swimming with two friends.
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By Emily Hung
An elderly man drowned at a beach in Hong Kong’s New Territories on Sunday.
The 70-year-old, surnamed Lok, had been swimming at Butterfly Beach in Tuen Mun.
A lifeguard filed a police report at around 2.15pm after the man was pulled from the sea. He was rushed to Tuen Mun Hospital but was certified dead at around 3pm.
A postmortem examination would be carried out to ascertain the cause of death.
A number of drownings have been reported in recent months.
In early August, a 42-year-old man drowned at Ung Kong Wan on Bluff Island. He was on a boat trip and went swimming with two friends.
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‘Christmas vibe’ lures tourists to Hong Kong but more residents heading off
By Fan Chen
Tourists from mainland China and elsewhere are being drawn to Hong Kong by the festive atmosphere although a greater number of residents are heading out of the city for the Christmas break.
Mainland visitor Wang Xin from Shandong province landed at Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday afternoon with her boyfriend for a five-day holiday.
“I have some good memories in the city, so I decided to bring my boyfriend. It’ll be his first time in Hong Kong, and we plan to do all the touristy stuff, including touring around Victoria Harbour and taking the Star Ferry,” said Wang, who is self-employed.
Before boarding a bus to their hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, she took photos of a dazzling Christmas tree in the middle of the arrival hall. Wang described the airport as “convenient and pretty”.
Some tourists chose Hong Kong because of its strong festive atmosphere.
Eva Nan Xi, a marketing worker in neighbouring Shenzhen, arrived in Hong Kong by high-speed rail for a day trip to immerse herself in the city’s holiday vibe.
“Many of my foreign clients have talked about how they celebrated Christmas abroad, which makes me want to experience that myself,” said Nan, who is in her late 20s.
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By Fan Chen
Tourists from mainland China and elsewhere are being drawn to Hong Kong by the festive atmosphere although a greater number of residents are heading out of the city for the Christmas break.
Mainland visitor Wang Xin from Shandong province landed at Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday afternoon with her boyfriend for a five-day holiday.
“I have some good memories in the city, so I decided to bring my boyfriend. It’ll be his first time in Hong Kong, and we plan to do all the touristy stuff, including touring around Victoria Harbour and taking the Star Ferry,” said Wang, who is self-employed.
Before boarding a bus to their hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, she took photos of a dazzling Christmas tree in the middle of the arrival hall. Wang described the airport as “convenient and pretty”.
Some tourists chose Hong Kong because of its strong festive atmosphere.
Eva Nan Xi, a marketing worker in neighbouring Shenzhen, arrived in Hong Kong by high-speed rail for a day trip to immerse herself in the city’s holiday vibe.
“Many of my foreign clients have talked about how they celebrated Christmas abroad, which makes me want to experience that myself,” said Nan, who is in her late 20s.
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Hong Kong may drop plan to use hydrogen-powered light rail trains: lawmakers
By Ng Kang-chung
Hong Kong may be forced to drop plans to use hydrogen-powered trains on its light rail system because of safety regulations and the need to “rebuild” all platforms, two legislators have warned.
Lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun, citing his sources, said on Sunday the MTR Corporation’s plans for the 36km (22 miles) of lines were in jeopardy in part due to incompatibility between the mainland China-made trains and current light rail platforms.
“The hydrogen-fuelled trains are low-floor trains. They are not compatible with the light rail platforms,” said Tien, a former chairman of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation.
Another lawmaker, Gary Zhang Xinyu, called for the relaxation of a ban on the simultaneous operation of hydrogen-powered trains and traditional direct current electric ones on the line.
The pair were responding to the rail operator’s announcement on Saturday that it had completed a trial run with one of the trains. No passengers were involved in the tests.
The MTR Corp brought in a low-floor, hydrogen-powered train in June to conduct the trial run as part of a government plan to develop the use of greener energy sources to reach the city’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
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By Ng Kang-chung
Hong Kong may be forced to drop plans to use hydrogen-powered trains on its light rail system because of safety regulations and the need to “rebuild” all platforms, two legislators have warned.
Lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun, citing his sources, said on Sunday the MTR Corporation’s plans for the 36km (22 miles) of lines were in jeopardy in part due to incompatibility between the mainland China-made trains and current light rail platforms.
“The hydrogen-fuelled trains are low-floor trains. They are not compatible with the light rail platforms,” said Tien, a former chairman of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation.
Another lawmaker, Gary Zhang Xinyu, called for the relaxation of a ban on the simultaneous operation of hydrogen-powered trains and traditional direct current electric ones on the line.
The pair were responding to the rail operator’s announcement on Saturday that it had completed a trial run with one of the trains. No passengers were involved in the tests.
The MTR Corp brought in a low-floor, hydrogen-powered train in June to conduct the trial run as part of a government plan to develop the use of greener energy sources to reach the city’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
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Hong Kong should start third medical school sooner amid Sino-US tensions: expert
By Elizabeth Cheung
Hong Kong should strive to prepare its third medical school more quickly amid Sino-US tensions, a former head of the Hospital Authority has said, as he highlighted the importance of the new institution in embracing technology and nurturing talent.
Anthony Wu Ting-yuk, who was chairman of the Hospital Authority from 2004 to 2013, told the Post that an interim plan should be put in place to offer training to medical students from the new school, instead of waiting about a decade for a proposed teaching hospital to be ready in the Northern Metropolis.
“We should seize on technology and build a brand new medical school … which focuses on the training in technology,” Wu said in an interview earlier this month.
Hong Kong is pressing on with establishing its third medical school after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu threw his support behind the plan in his policy address in October.
Earlier this month, the government sent out invitations to the city’s eight publicly funded universities for them to submit proposals for the new school, with interested institutions required to submit their plans by mid-March.
The University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong run the city’s two existing medical schools.
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By Elizabeth Cheung
Hong Kong should strive to prepare its third medical school more quickly amid Sino-US tensions, a former head of the Hospital Authority has said, as he highlighted the importance of the new institution in embracing technology and nurturing talent.
Anthony Wu Ting-yuk, who was chairman of the Hospital Authority from 2004 to 2013, told the Post that an interim plan should be put in place to offer training to medical students from the new school, instead of waiting about a decade for a proposed teaching hospital to be ready in the Northern Metropolis.
“We should seize on technology and build a brand new medical school … which focuses on the training in technology,” Wu said in an interview earlier this month.
Hong Kong is pressing on with establishing its third medical school after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu threw his support behind the plan in his policy address in October.
Earlier this month, the government sent out invitations to the city’s eight publicly funded universities for them to submit proposals for the new school, with interested institutions required to submit their plans by mid-March.
The University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong run the city’s two existing medical schools.
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China sanctions Canadian institutes, individuals over Tibet, Xinjiang rights row
By Wendy Wu
Beijing has sanctioned two Canadian institutes and several individuals as tensions with Ottawa continue to worsen over Tibet and Xinjiang.
The Uygur Rights Advocacy Project, the Canada Tibet Committee and 20 people from the two organisations had been placed on the sanctions list, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Sunday, citing China’s anti-sanctions law.
Their assets within China have been frozen, all transactions and cooperation projects have been banned, and persons on the list are barred from entering China, including Hong Kong and Macau, from Saturday, according to the ministry.
The move comes after Canada imposed sanctions on eight former and current senior Chinese officials earlier this month, citing alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang – home to the mainly Muslim Uygur ethnic minority group – and in Tibet.
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By Wendy Wu
Beijing has sanctioned two Canadian institutes and several individuals as tensions with Ottawa continue to worsen over Tibet and Xinjiang.
The Uygur Rights Advocacy Project, the Canada Tibet Committee and 20 people from the two organisations had been placed on the sanctions list, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Sunday, citing China’s anti-sanctions law.
Their assets within China have been frozen, all transactions and cooperation projects have been banned, and persons on the list are barred from entering China, including Hong Kong and Macau, from Saturday, according to the ministry.
The move comes after Canada imposed sanctions on eight former and current senior Chinese officials earlier this month, citing alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang – home to the mainly Muslim Uygur ethnic minority group – and in Tibet.
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Diamonds are plunging in value around the world. Is China to blame?
By Ralph Jennings
Not all newlyweds in China can afford a name-brand, natural diamond in today’s tough economy. But many no longer want one, anyway.
Prices for natural gems have fallen worldwide, tainting their store of value, while synthetic alternatives cost far less and glitter just as brightly.
“They don’t necessarily need something from Tiffany’s,” said Vivian Wu, a 40-year-old founder of the Shanghai-based diamond business Wei An Shang Mao.
Wu still completes about 10 diamond orders per week, as she has for years, but these days customers are often looking for a bargain. Newlyweds increasingly ask her to find smaller gems to fit their shrinking budgets or choose artificial ones that are sometimes just one-tenth the price of a natural stone.
Changes taking place in China are rapidly reshaping the global diamond market, as the country’s consumers pull back from splashing out on natural stones and its factories ramp up production of cheaper synthetic alternatives.
Wholesale diamond prices have fallen by about 40 per cent over the past two years, according to Bank of America Global Research. The Zimnisky Rough Diamond Price Index shows a particularly steep drop since an all-time high in 2022.
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By Ralph Jennings
Not all newlyweds in China can afford a name-brand, natural diamond in today’s tough economy. But many no longer want one, anyway.
Prices for natural gems have fallen worldwide, tainting their store of value, while synthetic alternatives cost far less and glitter just as brightly.
“They don’t necessarily need something from Tiffany’s,” said Vivian Wu, a 40-year-old founder of the Shanghai-based diamond business Wei An Shang Mao.
Wu still completes about 10 diamond orders per week, as she has for years, but these days customers are often looking for a bargain. Newlyweds increasingly ask her to find smaller gems to fit their shrinking budgets or choose artificial ones that are sometimes just one-tenth the price of a natural stone.
Changes taking place in China are rapidly reshaping the global diamond market, as the country’s consumers pull back from splashing out on natural stones and its factories ramp up production of cheaper synthetic alternatives.
Wholesale diamond prices have fallen by about 40 per cent over the past two years, according to Bank of America Global Research. The Zimnisky Rough Diamond Price Index shows a particularly steep drop since an all-time high in 2022.
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Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis MOU a ‘general expression’ of support: minister
By Vivian Au
Hong Kong’s development minister has said a Northern Metropolis memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by 85 business heavyweights is simply a “general expression” of support without commitments to formal tenders, with the financial sector calling for more transparency and dialogue.
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said on Sunday the agreement, signed last month, aimed to unite efforts and promote the project near the border with mainland China.
She said the “support” wording of the MOU was “neutral”.
“Would the public overthink this matter?” she said.
The companies have pledged to support and participate in the Northern Metropolis blueprint, which envisions transforming 30,000 hectares (74,130 acres) of land in the New Territories into an economic powerhouse and housing hub.
Linn added the MOU was a “general expression” of support, which could come in various forms such as providing expert opinions or financing.
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By Vivian Au
Hong Kong’s development minister has said a Northern Metropolis memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by 85 business heavyweights is simply a “general expression” of support without commitments to formal tenders, with the financial sector calling for more transparency and dialogue.
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said on Sunday the agreement, signed last month, aimed to unite efforts and promote the project near the border with mainland China.
She said the “support” wording of the MOU was “neutral”.
“Would the public overthink this matter?” she said.
The companies have pledged to support and participate in the Northern Metropolis blueprint, which envisions transforming 30,000 hectares (74,130 acres) of land in the New Territories into an economic powerhouse and housing hub.
Linn added the MOU was a “general expression” of support, which could come in various forms such as providing expert opinions or financing.
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Rapid test to give Hong Kong officials new weapon to fight shark fin trade
By Ambrose Li
Hong Kong is set to adopt a new rapid test that could “significantly” reduce the time needed to identify shark fin species at borders as early as next year to help tackle illegal wildlife trade and overexploitation, according to a top UN official and local authorities.
Ivonne Higuero, secretary general of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), also called on the private sector to step up efforts to help counter wildlife trafficking during a recent visit to Hong Kong.
In an exclusive interview with the Post, Higuero, head of the CITES Secretariat that is administered by the UN Environment Programme, revealed that Hong Kong would soon begin using a new method to detect shark fins from species protected under the convention.
“Normally, if you’re suspicious of the species, you would have to send it to genetic testing, which is costly and takes time. But now, with this new system, you do it on the spot with the right equipment and almost immediately that you can get a result,” she said, likening it to the rapid tests used during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department told the Post earlier that it was refining the technique with the US-based Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, which has provided the equipment and reagents required for free.
“As more shark species are brought under the control of CITES, academics have developed a new technique known as closed-tube bar coding, which is a PCR-based method to identify shark species,” the department said.
“The method does not require DNA sequencing, but uses reagents containing the genetic probes. It can provide results in two hours at the earliest and significantly reduce the turnaround time in the identification of shark fin specimens.”
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By Ambrose Li
Hong Kong is set to adopt a new rapid test that could “significantly” reduce the time needed to identify shark fin species at borders as early as next year to help tackle illegal wildlife trade and overexploitation, according to a top UN official and local authorities.
Ivonne Higuero, secretary general of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), also called on the private sector to step up efforts to help counter wildlife trafficking during a recent visit to Hong Kong.
In an exclusive interview with the Post, Higuero, head of the CITES Secretariat that is administered by the UN Environment Programme, revealed that Hong Kong would soon begin using a new method to detect shark fins from species protected under the convention.
“Normally, if you’re suspicious of the species, you would have to send it to genetic testing, which is costly and takes time. But now, with this new system, you do it on the spot with the right equipment and almost immediately that you can get a result,” she said, likening it to the rapid tests used during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department told the Post earlier that it was refining the technique with the US-based Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, which has provided the equipment and reagents required for free.
“As more shark species are brought under the control of CITES, academics have developed a new technique known as closed-tube bar coding, which is a PCR-based method to identify shark species,” the department said.
“The method does not require DNA sequencing, but uses reagents containing the genetic probes. It can provide results in two hours at the earliest and significantly reduce the turnaround time in the identification of shark fin specimens.”
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India’s luxury property market booming despite economic slowdown
By Biman Mukherji
India’s luxury property market is defying an economic slowdown as more wealthy buyers, from local tech entrepreneurs to overseas investors of Indian origin, splurge on high-end homes, industry experts say.
Properties ranging from units with private pools to penthouses offering panoramic views of first-tier city skylines like Mumbai have been snapped up in the past few years. Some of the luxurious homes occupy entire floors and even have helipads.
Anshuman Magazine, chairman and CEO for India, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa at global real estate firm CBRE, said the buying spree for such units was showing little sign of slowing.
“This trend has revitalised the luxury housing market, prompting renewed interest from buyers seeking upgraded living experiences,” Magazine said.
Between January and September, sales of luxury properties priced at 40 million Indian rupees (US$470,000) and above surged by 37.8 per cent from the same period a year earlier, according to CBRE’s data, with Delhi’s national capital region (NCR), Mumbai and Hyderabad driving growth.
Delhi-NCR recorded a 72 per cent jump, while sales in Mumbai rose by 18 per cent, according to CBRE, adding that Mumbai accounted for half of the country’s total luxury property sales.
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By Biman Mukherji
India’s luxury property market is defying an economic slowdown as more wealthy buyers, from local tech entrepreneurs to overseas investors of Indian origin, splurge on high-end homes, industry experts say.
Properties ranging from units with private pools to penthouses offering panoramic views of first-tier city skylines like Mumbai have been snapped up in the past few years. Some of the luxurious homes occupy entire floors and even have helipads.
Anshuman Magazine, chairman and CEO for India, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa at global real estate firm CBRE, said the buying spree for such units was showing little sign of slowing.
“This trend has revitalised the luxury housing market, prompting renewed interest from buyers seeking upgraded living experiences,” Magazine said.
Between January and September, sales of luxury properties priced at 40 million Indian rupees (US$470,000) and above surged by 37.8 per cent from the same period a year earlier, according to CBRE’s data, with Delhi’s national capital region (NCR), Mumbai and Hyderabad driving growth.
Delhi-NCR recorded a 72 per cent jump, while sales in Mumbai rose by 18 per cent, according to CBRE, adding that Mumbai accounted for half of the country’s total luxury property sales.
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Cathay flight from Hong Kong suffers 15-hour delay due to unruly passenger
By Emily Hung
A US-bound Cathay Pacific Airways flight was diverted to Tokyo before returning to Hong Kong on Sunday because of an unruly passenger, causing a delay of nearly 15 hours for travellers on board.
Cathay Pacific flight 812 took off from Hong Kong International Airport on Saturday at around 7.40pm, heading for the United States city of Boston.
But the service was diverted to Tokyo’s Haneda airport to deal with the disruptive passenger, according to a Post reporter on board.
Social media users who posted details of the ordeal online said the passenger had assaulted others on the flight and was arrested by police in Tokyo.
After a layover in the Japanese capital, the flight departed for Hong Kong at 3.15am on Sunday and landed at around 7.15am.
Passengers boarded another plane in Hong Kong, with a different crew, before departing again at 10.30am.
The carrier provided each passenger a HK$150 (US$19) meal voucher.
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By Emily Hung
A US-bound Cathay Pacific Airways flight was diverted to Tokyo before returning to Hong Kong on Sunday because of an unruly passenger, causing a delay of nearly 15 hours for travellers on board.
Cathay Pacific flight 812 took off from Hong Kong International Airport on Saturday at around 7.40pm, heading for the United States city of Boston.
But the service was diverted to Tokyo’s Haneda airport to deal with the disruptive passenger, according to a Post reporter on board.
Social media users who posted details of the ordeal online said the passenger had assaulted others on the flight and was arrested by police in Tokyo.
After a layover in the Japanese capital, the flight departed for Hong Kong at 3.15am on Sunday and landed at around 7.15am.
Passengers boarded another plane in Hong Kong, with a different crew, before departing again at 10.30am.
The carrier provided each passenger a HK$150 (US$19) meal voucher.
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