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The "sit-in" organized since this weekend at Hong Kong International Airport has obviously not pleased Beijing. But it continues more beautiful, since at least 5,000 protesters are still massed this Monday, August 12. The flights are canceled for the day, and the company Cathay Pacific reminds its teams that supporting or participating in the revolt may lead to dismissal.
The Hong Kong airport authorities announced on Monday that flights to and from the Special Administrative Region would not be insured due to a protest in the main lobby, which has been busy since Friday.
" With the exception of departing departing flights and arriving flights that are already en route to Hong Kong, all other flights have been canceled for the remainder of the day, " reads in a statement.
In 2018, Hong Kong Airport was the eighth busiest in the world, with 74 million passengers. Since Friday, thousands of protesters mostly dressed in black are massed to educate foreign visitors.
They sing, proclaim slogans and distribute leaflets explaining the meaning of the pro-democracy protests they have been organizing in the city for weeks. A way for them to rally people going through their cause.
The authorities report that airport operations " were severely disrupted by public gatherings " on Monday. According to them, the traffic to the airport is " very crowded " and the car parks are completely full.
Also, the Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific is more than ever under pressure. His management has reassured his employees that they could be fired if they " support or participate in illegal demonstrations " in Hong Kong.
" Cathay Pacific has a policy of zero tolerance for illegal activities ," warns company CEO Rupert Hogg in a message to staff, promising " disciplinary consequences ."
" These consequences can be serious and involve the termination of the employment contract ", because in his eyes, " actions and words of our employees outside working hours can have a significant impact on society ."
Friday, the General Directorate of Civil Aviation in China had asked this group, founded by Anglo-Saxons during the British colonization, to send him the names of staff on board its flights through the continent.
Beijing had said that employees supporting the sling against the extradition bill would not be allowed on flights to China or through its airspace. Management has folded.
The mobilization born two months ago in Hong Kong is for Beijing the biggest challenge since the surrender of this territory to China in 1997. And Cathay, whose two employees were sacked Saturday, is propelled on the front line.
The media of the former colony of His Majesty think that it is in connection with the movement. The two fugitives would be accused of fleeing the details of the itinerary of a football team of the Hong Kong police.
Cathay Pacific is in a delicate position, especially since the media also reported that a third employee, a pilot, had been charged with participating in a rally that escalated. The latter was suspended.
The flight crew union is also targeted. Last Monday, he supported the general strike in Hong Kong, lamenting the government's " ignoring the demands " and being violent.
After comparing the movement to " color revolutions " to discredit, the Chinese central government passed a cap on Monday in the rhetoric, speaking of " terrorism " after the new violence occurred Sunday.