Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has diverted a US-bound flight to Japan to remove an “unruly passenger” suspected to have touched cabin crew members and verbally abused them under the influence of alcohol, the Post has learned.The carrier confirmed that flight CX806 from Hong Kong to Chicago, which departed the city at around 12.30pm on Sunday, had been diverted to Tokyo.

“[The flight] was diverted to Tokyo Narita International Airport due to an unruly passenger. The captain made the decision to divert the flight in accordance with the safety guidelines, and the passenger was escorted off the aircraft by the airport staff,” a Cathay spokesman said.

“Safety guides every decision we make. We sincerely apologise to the affected customers for the inconvenience.”

A source said the passenger involved had transited in Hong Kong from Bangkok on flight CX616, which took off at around 6.30am in Thailand.