HKG Airport shut down 12 August
Aug 12, 2019, 9:02 am
#92
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: CRK MNL
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,287
The protesters were peaceful, nor were they trying to disturb the check-in process or harass passengers. There was no need to close down the check in counters, which I would classify as an overreaction (also Cathay dictating what their staff do outside of their job (in the area of freedom of political expression) in an internal memo). In anyway, I support their fight for freedom and condemn the police brutality.
Sadly, I doubt this will end well.
Sadly, I doubt this will end well.
How can they get sympathy if international passengers will be greeted at the airport like this?
Earlier in the day, travellers arrived at the airport blissfully unaware of the chaos they were about to encounter: angry protesters determined to gridlock the airport to make their point heard.
Stepping off the Airport Express and into the airport’s main terminal, travellers were met by a sea of angry black-shirted protesters, determined to make themselves heard to a global audience.
Inside the terminal, almost every inch of floor space in the departure and arrival hall was overrun, with protesters chanting “shame on rogue cops!” and “stand with Hong Kong, fight for freedom”.
Stepping off the Airport Express and into the airport’s main terminal, travellers were met by a sea of angry black-shirted protesters, determined to make themselves heard to a global audience.
Inside the terminal, almost every inch of floor space in the departure and arrival hall was overrun, with protesters chanting “shame on rogue cops!” and “stand with Hong Kong, fight for freedom”.
Aug 12, 2019, 9:04 am
#93
Join Date: May 2016
Location: York
Programs: CX JL QR LH BA
Posts: 326
In this case, I don’t think you can take out insurance now and be covered for losses arising from this current commotion as it’s a pre-existing situation. But I am not certain.
The fact that you have redeemed using QR points for a EK flight doesn’t affect your insurance policy. You need to look at the wording of the policy to see what is covered.
War (whether declared or not) or any act thereof, invasion or civil war including riot and civil commotion.
戰爭（無論宣戰與否）及一切相關行為、入侵或內戰，包括動亂及國民起義。
Would this mean that they won't cover it, as these days it's been classified as a riot?
I called EK they said that I need to contact QR as I booked with QR. The latter is simply not picking up as they are likely dealing with the current cancellations.
Aug 12, 2019, 9:09 am
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
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Posts: 19,719
The "civil commotion" loophole is a pretty standard feature of travel insurance and may work against many policyholders in transit who are hoping for relief in this case.
Aug 12, 2019, 9:16 am
#95
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: 42.1% in PDX , 49.9% in PVG & 8% in the air somewhere
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https://www.cnn.com/asia/live-news/h...hnk/index.html
Give a mouse a piece of cheese and he takes the whole darn Island, this is not going well and they really have gone out of control and will now take down the whole friggen world
Give a mouse a piece of cheese and he takes the whole darn Island, this is not going well and they really have gone out of control and will now take down the whole friggen world
Aug 12, 2019, 9:56 am
#97
Join Date: May 2016
Location: York
Programs: CX JL QR LH BA
Posts: 326
I hope that the airport resumes normal operations soon.
I hope that protestors and airport staff get home safe.
I hope that the over-worked policemen catch some much needed rest.
Am I hoping for too much... or should I be resented by any specific groups.
I hope that protestors and airport staff get home safe.
I hope that the over-worked policemen catch some much needed rest.
Am I hoping for too much... or should I be resented by any specific groups.
Aug 12, 2019, 9:58 am
#98
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,918
Without touching sensitive politics aspect:
What I do not understand is, why would protesters sitting at arrival hall area interfere with airport operations. They are not on the runways. Why does the airport has to be shut down?
I am sure you are still able to walk to checkin area if you need to travel, or go through security clearance.
What I do not understand is, why would protesters sitting at arrival hall area interfere with airport operations. They are not on the runways. Why does the airport has to be shut down?
I am sure you are still able to walk to checkin area if you need to travel, or go through security clearance.
Actually it is a capacity issue. The airport is likely not designed to handle huge amounts of people all at the same time (people in motion is a different story). When you have large gatherings, conditions can change. Imagine if there were 5,000 people in the arrival hall and gunshots were heard or tear gas was deployed. Quite likely a stampede would start and many people could get hurt.
This is also not counting (as has been mentioned before) living conditions (eg, washrooms) and food/water services. Evacuating the building is the safest choice the administrators could make.
Aug 12, 2019, 10:03 am
#99
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
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Posts: 15,557
a few long haul evening flights are departing despite being mentioned as cancelled on HKIA website. For example BA32 departed 30min late (was scheduled at 23:15). BA 28 also scheduled to depart. Wonder if any HK pax have been able to check in.
Aug 12, 2019, 10:07 am
#100
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,280
from the various reports, the check in counters have no staffs n are closed. So guess these flights flown back empty?
Aug 12, 2019, 10:07 am
#101
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 735
Although a wavier has been issued (at 2300hrs HKT!), there is no free re-routes on other carriers (to bypass HKG) unless flight cancelled/misconnected. I thought at this time CX would want to prevent people from going through HKG, but no.
Aug 12, 2019, 10:13 am
#102
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Scotland
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 476
Really depends on the insurer in question, mine has that standard loophole but they also allow you to pay an extra fee for travel disruption cover which does indeed include civil commotion and/or civil disorder.
Aug 12, 2019, 10:31 am
#104
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
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Aug 12, 2019, 10:39 am
#105
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: CX ows, DL E+
Posts: 188