Travelers could transit Hong Kong airport, above, if their itinerary was on a single booking and the connection time to the next flight was within eight hours
Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd said on Saturday that the reopening of transit services for passengers at Hong Kong International Airport from June 1 will not include those travelling to and from mainland China.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced earlier this week that some transit passengers would be allowed through the hub from Monday, but did not provide further details. Transit through the airport has been barred since March 25 as part of measures taken to help control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cathay Pacific Airways planes are seen at the Hong Kong International Airport
Cathay said travellers could transit Hong Kong if their itinerary was on a single booking and the connection time to the next flight was within eight hours.
"In this first phase, transiting to and from destinations in mainland China is not available," the airline said on its website.
The regulator drastically reduced the number of allowed international flights to prevent the potential of importing Covid-19 (coronavirus) infections. Many foreign airlines are barred altogether and mainland carriers can fly just one weekly passenger flight on one route to any country, which has sent fares skyrocketing.
That rule does not apply to airlines from Hong Kong, such as Cathay, which are allowed more flights to and from the mainland, but the airline's statement on Saturday indicated it cannot immediately take advantage of the boom in demand.
Travelers could transit Hong Kong airport, above, if their itinerary was on a single booking and the connection time to the next flight was within eight hours
Cathay Pacific Airways planes are seen at the Hong Kong International Airport
