Hong Kong’s aviation sector navigated a turbulent year in 2024 as it tried to recuperate from the pandemic and underwent a series of dramas mid-air.
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From a broken toilet door during a flight to an Airbus A350 engine fire and a global Microsoft outage disrupting operations at Hong Kong International Airport, the Post looks back at the downs in 2024.
Flight Cancellations
Cathay Pacific Airways cancelled almost 800 flights between December 2023 and February 2024 due to pilot illnesses and recruitment challenges. It drew backlash from authorities for poor crew planning, causing frustration for travellers attempting to reschedule flights and for pilots navigating what they perceived as chaotic roster arrangements.
The city’s flag carrier also cancelled 90 flights and conducted inspections and repairs on its 48-strong Airbus A350 aircraft after the engine of a Zurich-bound flight caught fire in September. The issue stemmed from a fuel nozzle failure in a Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engine.
‘Insulting’ move
Cathay’s budget carrier HK Express told two visually impaired passengers to deboard a Tokyo-bound flight in May, triggering criticism from the Hong Kong Blind Union which called the move “insulting”.
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