Jazmin Li
Hong Kong International Airport is one of the busiest and most important commercial hubs in Asia. In 2019, the airport was forced to ground flights and close operations temporarily due to violent anti-government protests. The protests, which began in June 2019, caused a significant drop in air passenger numbers and cargo. The airport eventually resumed flights, but the impact of the protests on the airport's operations and Hong Kong's tourism industry was substantial.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | August 20, 2019 |
| Reason | Protests |
| Impact | All flights cancelled, passengers greeted by protesters, piles of garbage in the airport |
| Resumption | Flights to resume from 6 a.m. Tuesday local time |
| Tourist Arrivals | Nearly half of what they usually are |
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What You'll Learn
Hong Kong airport's operations amid protests
Pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have severely impacted the operations of Hong Kong International Airport, one of the busiest and most important commercial hubs in Asia. In August 2019, the airport was forced to ground all flights temporarily due to protests inside and outside the terminal building. Protesters blocked transport routes to the airport, including the freeway, and thousands swarmed the terminals, disrupting operations. This led to confrontations with travellers and scuffles. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons, and some protesters were arrested. The airport closed temporarily, and hundreds of flights were cancelled, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers.
The protests were sparked by a now-withdrawn extradition bill and have caused a significant drop in air passenger numbers. Tourist arrivals were reported to be nearly half of what they usually are in August, impacting the performance of airlines. Dozens of countries issued travel warnings for Hong Kong, and the number of visitor arrivals fell substantially in early August, according to official data.
The airport did resume flights, but a spokesperson warned that some flights would be cancelled or delayed. The airport implemented a flight rescheduling system to adjust flight times and work with airlines to keep passengers informed.
Despite the disruptions, Hong Kong's Secretary of Transport, Frank Chan, commented that this was "not the first time there's a protest at Hong Kong airport", and as long as protesters can quickly evacuate, there should be no need for a clearance operation.
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Countries issuing travel advisories
Hong Kong International Airport is still operating, but it has seen a dramatic drop in passengers due to political unrest and anti-government protests. In August 2019, protests inside the terminal forced operations to temporarily close, and hundreds of flights were grounded.
The Australian and Canadian governments have issued travel advisories for their citizens travelling to Hong Kong. The advisories highlight the risk of arbitrary detention and transfer to mainland China for prosecution under mainland law. The maximum penalty under Hong Kong's national security laws is life imprisonment. The Australian Government advises its citizens that it cannot intervene in the Hong Kong judicial process if they are arrested or jailed.
The Canadian Government warns its citizens that their safety and security could be at risk in Hong Kong and that they should reconsider their need to travel to the region. It also mentions the possibility of being detained without access to a legal representative and the risk of arbitrary detention on national security grounds.
Additionally, the Hong Kong SAR Government has issued arrest warrants for individuals outside of Hong Kong, including in Australia, who they identify as criminals endangering national security. The Australian Government advises its citizens that they can be arrested, convicted, and imprisoned under Hong Kong's new security laws.
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Performance of airlines amid protests
The performance of airlines in Hong Kong has been significantly impacted by the anti-government protests that began in March 2019. The protests, which have resulted in violent clashes with police, have caused a dramatic drop in air passenger numbers and led to the cancellation or reduction of flights to and from the city.
Hong Kong's main carrier, Cathay Pacific, reported a decline in passenger and cargo numbers in August 2019, with a drop of 11.3% compared to the previous year. The airline also posted a 7.2% drop in its passenger load factor compared to the same time in 2018, with inbound passenger traffic down 38%. Cathay Pacific's Group Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, Ronald Lam, attributed this decline to the overall decrease in tourist arrivals in the city, stating that it had significantly affected the performance of their airlines.
Other airlines have also been affected by the protests. Singapore Airlines, for example, has seen a decrease in customer demand for Hong Kong-bound tickets, although its boss, Goh Choon Phong, claimed that the unrest had only caused a "minor dent" in the airline's financial performance. Qantas, on the other hand, was one of the hardest-hit carriers, revealing a $25 million profit loss due to the civil unrest. The airline was forced to downgrade several of its routes to Hong Kong, reducing overall capacity by 7%.
Several Asian airlines have also cut flights to Hong Kong as the protests disrupt daily life in the city. Garuda Indonesia reduced its flight frequency from Jakarta to Hong Kong from 14 flights to two per week, while AirAsia, SpiceJet, and PAL Holdings' Philippine Airlines have also adjusted their capacities due to lower passenger numbers. The protests have not only impacted international airlines but have also led to the cancellation of routes by Hong Kong-based airlines. Hong Kong Airlines cancelled its route between Hong Kong and LAX, while Virgin Australia suspended its Melbourne to Hong Kong route.
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Police use of tear gas at the airport
Hong Kong's airport has been a key target of the city's anti-government protests. In August 2019, protests inside the terminal forced operations to temporarily close, grounding hundreds of flights. Rallies outside the airport also blocked transport routes, including the freeway leading to the airport.
During the protests, police used tear gas to disperse crowds. On 25 August 2019, police fired tear gas into crowds of protesters and clashed with demonstrators, leading to several arrests. On 13 August, riot police used pepper spray to disperse protesters at the airport.
The use of tear gas by Hong Kong police has been criticised by human rights groups as dangerous and unlawful. On 11 August, police fired tear gas in a crowded subway station, endangering protesters and commuters. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that there was "credible evidence" of the misuse of tear gas by Hong Kong police "in ways that are prohibited by international norms and standards".
The Hong Kong police's use of tear gas has been compared to its deployment by police in South Korea in 1987. In that instance, tear gas was fired directly into crowds or enclosed spaces. The escalation in the use of tear gas by Hong Kong police suggests a disregard for the rules on its safe and lawful use.
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Hong Kong airport's status as a transportation hub
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) has historically been a staple among the top 10 largest airports in the world. HKG is the primary hub for Cathay Pacific, Greater Bay Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express, and Air Hong Kong. The airport is also one of the hubs of Oneworld and one of the Asia-Pacific cargo hubs for UPS Airlines. HKG is a focus city for China Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines uses Hong Kong as a stopover point for their flights. The airport is operated by Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), a statutory body of the Hong Kong government, and runs 24 hours a day.
HKG's status as a global aviation hub can be attributed to Hong Kong's position as a financial and commercial services industry hub. Hong Kong's manufacturing industry moved to mainland China in the mid-to-late 20th century, and the region has since welcomed private capital in and outside of China, allowing the state to become a global powerhouse in manufacturing. Many supply chains can be traced back to the country, with China boasting a 28.7% share of global manufacturing output in 2019.
HKG is one of the world's busiest cargo gateways and one of the busiest passenger airports. The airport has an advanced baggage handling system (BHS) and handles over five million tonnes of cargo annually. The airport is also home to one of the world's largest passenger terminal buildings. More than 100 airlines operate flights from the airport to over 180 cities across the globe.
However, HKG's status as a global aviation hub has faced challenges in recent years. In 2019, Hong Kong's anti-government protests caused a significant drop in air passenger numbers and affected the airport's operations. The pandemic and China's and Hong Kong's strict zero-COVID policies also impacted the airport's status. Additionally, competition from other airports, such as Incheon and Changi, means that Hong Kong needs new ideas to remain relevant as a global aviation hub.
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Frequently asked questions
Hong Kong airport is still operating, but it has seen a dramatic drop in passengers due to political unrest.
Yes, in August 2019, protests inside the terminal forced operations to temporarily close and grounded hundreds of flights.
Yes, there were violent clashes between protesters and police at the airport, with riot police firing tear gas and water cannons.
Yes, in 2019, the airport was closed for a day in anticipation of a clearance operation to remove protesters.
