Hong Kong Airport Protests: What's The Current Situation?

On 12 and 13 August 2019, thousands of pro-democracy protesters occupied the arrival and departure halls of Hong Kong International Airport, shutting down flights and bringing chaos to the airport for two days. The protests were triggered by a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed China to extradite people from Hong Kong, sparking fears that Hong Kong residents could be prosecuted by Beijing courts. The bill was declared dead by Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam, but protesters demanded broader reforms as they felt their freedoms were being eroded. The protests ended in violent clashes with the police, with both sides accusing the other of using aggressive tactics.

The impact of the Hong Kong airport protests on the city's business reputation

The protests at Hong Kong International Airport caused a second day of travel mayhem at one of the world's busiest air-transport hubs, threatening the city's reputation as a stable place for doing business. Travellers trying to catch their flights were met with an announcement that check-in was suspended from late afternoon because terminal operations were "seriously disrupted", causing at least 120 flights to be cancelled. This is in sharp contrast to the usual experience at Hong Kong's airport, where check-in and boarding are typically efficient and swift.

The airport, located at Chek Lap Kok on Lantau Island, is one of the world's busiest international airports and a key transport hub in Asia. The protests brought flights to a standstill, with demonstrators occupying the airport terminal buildings and making it difficult for passengers to check in and clear security. The disruption caused by the protests had a direct economic impact on business travel and tourism, with Hong Kong officials warning of the potential harm to the city's reputation as a travel and transport centre.

Analysts suggested that the chaos at the airport could cause foreign investors to reconsider doing business in Hong Kong, which has long been regarded as Asia's leading business city. The city has marketed itself to international businesses as a gateway to mainland China, and the airport is a prominent symbol of its status as a global hub. However, if the disruptions persist, that reputation could be damaged, according to Andrew Charlton, managing director of Aviation Advocacy.

The protests, which began as demonstrations against a China extradition bill, have expanded into calls for democratic reforms. The decision to bring the movement to the airport marked an escalation in the impact of the protests on business travel and tourism. Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways, one of the city's most well-known international brands, found itself caught in the crossfire as the Chinese government pressured the airline to bar its staff from participating in the protests. This intervention highlighted the increasingly blurred lines between business and politics in the territory.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) emphasised the far-reaching consequences of the flight cancellations, stating that the impact would be felt in markets beyond Hong Kong. There were already indications that business travellers were exploring alternative destinations, with a decline in travel bookings observed in June and July as several countries issued safety advisories for Hong Kong. The disruption to the airport's operations, coupled with the broader political unrest in the city, threatened to undermine Hong Kong's reputation as a safe and stable business hub served by a world-class airport.

The anti-government sentiment of the protesters

The protests at Hong Kong International Airport were part of a wider anti-government movement that had been taking place across Hong Kong since June 2019. The protests were sparked by a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed people in the city to be sent to mainland China for trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party. This bill was seen as a threat to the autonomy granted to the territory when it was handed back to China in 1997.

Protesters targeted the airport in an attempt to draw international attention to their cause and put pressure on the government. The airport is one of the world's busiest and most efficient, and by disrupting it, protesters knew they would cause economic harm and attract global media coverage. One 20-year-old protester said: "If we disrupt the airport, more foreigners will read the news about Hong Kong."

The protests at the airport caused travel mayhem, with flights cancelled or delayed, and passengers stranded or forced to walk to the airport with their luggage. The disruption led to criticism from travellers and airlines, and there were concerns that it could damage Hong Kong's reputation as a stable place for doing business. Some protesters held signs apologising to passengers for the inconvenience, while others maintained that the disruption was necessary to fight for their freedom.

The airport protests ended in chaotic scenes of violence, with squads of riot police arriving to clash with demonstrators. Suspected undercover officers were mobbed and beaten, and protesters refused to release a man they suspected to be an undercover agent, leading to a standoff with riot police. A police officer drew his gun at protesters after they snatched his baton and beat him. The Airport Authority obtained a court order to stop people from unlawfully obstructing or interfering with the airport's operations.

The police response to the protests

The police response was criticised by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, who urged authorities to exercise restraint during the protests. Bachelet said:

> "Officials can be seen firing tear gas canisters into crowded, enclosed areas and directly at individual protesters on multiple occasions, creating a considerable risk of death or serious injury."

The police's handling of the protests also led to a sharp decline in their approval ratings, which fell to 22% in mid-2019.

The effect of the protests on travellers

The protests at Hong Kong International Airport caused significant disruption to travellers, bringing one of the world's busiest aviation hubs to a standstill. The airport is a key transport hub in Asia and a symbol of Hong Kong's status as a global hub.

On Monday, 12 August 2019, more than 250 flights departed before the airport announced that all further departures would be rescheduled for the following day due to disruptions caused by the protests. The next day, over 300 flights were cancelled, leaving passengers stranded and unable to check in or clear security. The protests also resulted in severe crowding on airport bus and train services, forcing travellers to leave the airport on foot, carrying their luggage.

The impact of the protests extended beyond those travelling through the airport, as countries issued safety advisories urging travellers to exercise caution when visiting Hong Kong. This led to a decline in travel bookings and a negative effect on the city's tourism industry. The airport itself experienced a significant drop in traveller numbers, with 3.2 million fewer travellers passing through in 2019 compared to the previous year.

The protests also had financial implications for travellers, as some faced unexpected delays and increased costs due to rescheduled or cancelled flights. For example, DaFene Brown, a traveller impacted by the protests, expressed concern about having enough money to last until his rescheduled flight and the potential delay in starting a new job.

The disruption to airport operations and the decrease in traveller numbers further threatened Hong Kong's reputation as a stable place for doing business. Analysts suggested that foreign investors might reconsider setting up businesses in the city due to the perceived instability and transport disruptions.

The violence that occurred during the protests

The Hong Kong airport protests of 2019 were marred by violent clashes between police and protesters, with both sides employing increasingly aggressive tactics. The violence erupted after a weekend of skirmishes during which both activists and police escalated tensions. Protesters blocked passengers from checking in and clearing security, occupying the airport terminal and bringing flights to a standstill. Riot police armed with batons and pepper spray moved in, and in the ensuing chaos, a police officer drew his gun and aimed at protesters.

The violence escalated on Tuesday, August 13, when protesters assaulted and detained a man they suspected of being an undercover agent from the mainland. Riot police wielding batons and pepper spray moved in when protesters refused to release the man. A riot police officer drew his gun after protesters snatched his baton and beat him. A reporter for the Global Times, Fu Guohao, was also surrounded and assaulted by protesters. Hong Kong police launched a rescue operation, clashing with protesters and arresting five people.

The violence at the airport marked a turning point in the protests, with Hong Kong authorities obtaining an injunction to restrain protesters from obstructing airport operations. The airport protests caused a severe impact on Hong Kong's reputation as a stable place for business and travel, with foreign investors expressing concerns about setting up operations in the city. The city's leader, Carrie Lam, warned that the violence during the protests had pushed Hong Kong to a "dangerous situation" and risked pushing it "down a path of no return."

The protests themselves were sparked by a proposed extradition bill, which has since been suspended, but they evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement. Protesters demanded the resignation of Carrie Lam and an independent investigation into the handling of the protests. They feared the erosion of the "one country, two systems" arrangement, which granted Hong Kong some autonomy when it was returned to China in 1997. The violent clashes between police and protesters highlighted the serious nature of the political unrest in Hong Kong and the determination of both sides to stand their ground.

Frequently asked questions