HONG KONG- Cathay Pacific (CX) called for police assistance at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to remove a 38-year-old British passenger who was reportedly intoxicated and disruptive. The incident delayed flight CX255 bound for London Heathrow (LHR) by nearly 2 hours.
The passenger, described as uncooperative and incoherent, was escorted off the aircraft after refusing to leave voluntarily. He was later transferred to North Lantau Hospital for further evaluation.
Photo: By km30192002 – B-KPG Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116562811Cathay Pacific Passenger Removed
Cathay Pacific confirmed that the flight CX255, scheduled to depart at 11:15 PM on Thursday, was delayed due to the passenger’s behavior.
In line with aviation safety procedures, the Cathay Pacific captain decided to remove the intoxicated passenger to ensure the security of both passengers and crew.
The airline stated the flight eventually departed at 12:46 AM Friday, according to official scheduling records, though flight tracking data indicated an actual departure time of 1:05 AM. The aircraft landed safely at London Heathrow at 7:27 AM local time.
According to Bangkok Post, Cathay Pacific apologized for the inconvenience caused and reiterated that passenger and crew safety guide every decision the airline makes.
Photo: By aeroprints.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32566204Police Response and Hospitalization
Hong Kong police confirmed they boarded the aircraft at 11:48 p.m. after receiving reports of a disruptive passenger.
The man was found intoxicated and “babbling,” according to a police spokeswoman. Despite repeated instructions, he refused to disembark voluntarily.
Officers then escorted him off the aircraft and arranged for his transfer to North Lantau Hospital.
Photo: By Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland – Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-367ER; B-KPA@LAX;10.10.2011/622nv, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26712951Similar Incidents
Cathay Pacific has previously reported multiple cases involving unruly passengers. In September last year, a US-bound flight was diverted to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) to remove a passenger suspected of harassing cabin crew members and verbally abusing them under the influence of alcohol.
That same month, the airline permanently blacklisted two passengers who harassed a fellow traveler on a London-bound flight.
The affected passenger shared on the Chinese social media platform RedNote that she was kicked and verbally abused after reclining her seat.
Photo: File:Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-200; B-HNA@HKG;05.08.2012 671ey (8008530437).jpg – Wikimedia CommonsAirline Rules
Under Cathay Pacific’s general conditions of carriage, passengers engaging in disorderly, unsafe, discriminatory, or aggressive conduct may be restrained, removed, or banned from future flights.
Hong Kong’s aviation ordinance states that any action likely to jeopardize order or safety on board constitutes an offense.
Prohibited behaviors include obstructing crew members, ignoring safety instructions, disorderly conduct, tampering with aircraft systems, intoxication endangering flight safety, smoking, and unauthorized use of electronic devices.
Violations carry serious consequences, with penalties ranging from fines of HK$20,000 (approximately $2,565) to HK$50,000, and imprisonment of up to 5 years.
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