Cathay suspends London flights until end of January

Flights from the United Kingdom into Hong Kong remain banned.

Cathay Pacific has confirmed it will continue the suspension of its inbound service from London Heathrow until January 25.

The airline halted its London to Hong Kong route in late December after Hong Kong government introduced a ban on all flights from the United Kingdom due to a fast-spreading Covid variant in southern England. Strict new regulations include air crew having to quarantine in Hong Kong for 21 days.

Yesterday, the city's government extended its social distancing regulations once again as the territory continued to record dozens of new daily infections. Schools will be closed until after Chinese New Year in mid-February and the two-person dining limit and ban on dining after 6pm will continue until January 20.

However, in a bid to assist passengers wanting to travel to the UK, Cathay says it will be resuming passenger flights from Hong Kong to London Heathrow from January 12.

The carrier says it intends to operate its CX251 flight to London on January 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21 and 24. However, the scheduled flight to Manchester on January 15 has been cancelled.

Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post has reported that Cathay pilots and cabin crew will not be permitted to leave the aircraft at Heathrow and will instead continue to Amsterdam.

According to the airline, passengers can make free and unlimited flight changes until December 31, 2021, or exchange tickets for Cathay Credits to be used at a later date. Customers can also cancel and request a refund. Free Covid-19 insurance is being offered until February 28, 2021.

British Airways confirmed earlier this week that it would be resuming its Hong Kong to London Heathrow passenger service from January 3.

Virgin Atlantic suspended all of its flights in and out of Hong Kong on December 22.

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