London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Cathay Pacific asks Hong Kong aircrew to ditch BN(O) passports

Cathay Pacific asks Hong Kong aircrew to ditch BN(O) passports

Internal email requests that local employees change travel document in system to HKSAR passport by end of February.

Local Cathay Pacific aircrew have been asked to switch their British National (Overseas) passports to Hong Kong SAR ones by February 28, after China’s decision to no longer recognise the BN(O) as a travel document or proof of identity.

But sources said the airline’s request, made in an internal email seen by the Post, had been questioned by some employees, who pointed out that passengers would still be able to use the BN(O) document to check in.

However, the Immigration Department said the BN(O) document could not be used for entry and exit from Hong Kong from Sunday, and residents would need their HKSAR passport or identity card to travel.

Other countries or regions had to decide for themselves whether to accept it as a valid travel document, it added.

In a memo from Mark Hoey, Cathay’s general manager of operations, the airline said it was in the process of clarifying details with authorities regarding the operational impact on crew members, but employees were strongly encouraged to switch their travel documents to an HKSAR passport.

“If you have a BN(O) passport registered in the system as your travel document, can I please request that you change it to another as soon as possible,” Hoey’s email said.

Cathay’s request came as Britain opened its BN(O) visa service applications scheme for Hongkongers online, despite the Chinese government saying it would not be recognised as a valid travel document.

However, some airline employees pointed to the discrepancy between the two approaches.

“If a passenger can present an HKSAR passport, why [do they] still use the BN(O) to check in? What purpose [does it serve]?” one said.

In a separate email, the airline set out internal guidelines for crew members with regards to passengers holding BN(O) passports.

While they could be used to check-in, people without another passport would not be allowed to fly, and could only rebook their tickets once they had an acceptable form of identification, the email said.

BN(O) holders coming to Hong Kong must also present their HKSAR passport, ID card, or re-entry permit before entering the city.

On Sunday, a man using his BN(O) was stopped by a member of staff at the airport when he left the check-in area to enter the restricted zone. He was only allowed to proceed after presenting his HKID.

The man was heading to Taiwan for work and said he initially used his BN(O) passport because he bought his ticket using that travel document.

Airlines have also been reminded to follow the new regulations or risk violating Section 40 of the Immigration Ordinance, which targets the arrival of aircraft passengers in Hong Kong without a valid travel document.

Hong Kong Airlines said in a statement it would “comply with the new requirements and ensure passengers present valid documents before boarding their flight”, while aircrew would “also hold valid documents” while on duty.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×