AA eyes up Hong Kong to expand frequent-flier scheme in rare vote of confidence by a carrier in city, while others slash flights as long-running protests take their toll.

Hundreds gather in Tai Koo, Mong Kok and Tseung Kwan O, setting up roadblocks in some spots, while riot police fire tear gas and non-lethal rounds.

CEOs of Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon summoned to see Hong Kong aviation chiefs for second time after three new cases are uncovered, but Cathay quickly rules out crew involvement.

Forty-five hot nights is most since weather records began in 1884. Last month also had 26 per cent more sunshine and 60 per cent less rainfall.

Value of sales plunges 23 per cent to HK$29.4 billion in August, compared with same month last year.

Woman who has worked for airline for more than seven years questions whether she was sacked because she found the partly emptied bottle.

Whole-year drop estimated despite numbers being up in the first six months, before anti-government protests began.

Canister found to be partially emptied on a Cathay Dragon flight from Kuala Lumpur to Hong Kong. Police and aviation regulators have been investigating the repeated acts of apparent sabotage – now numbering seven – since last month.

Government has helped the aviation industry twice before – in 2009 and from 2000 to 2004 – but not on the scale now requested.

Sabotage comes at a tough time for the airline, with unrest locally causing reduced passenger numbers and pressure from Beijing.

Nearly one in 10 tickets on stricken airline no longer available under major flight cancellation programme.

Hong Kong’s airport recorded its biggest decline in a decade last month, as anti-government protests have gripped the city.

Open letter also warns against glorification of anti-government violence and follows colleagues’ condemnation of police.

Decline of 12.4 per cent was biggest monthly drop since June 2009 – with protests crisis blamed for reduced arrivals.

Hong Kong carrier suspends long-haul services ahead of difficult winter, with flights to Dublin, New York and Paris all cut, while hiring freeze is also brought in, and analyst expects more cuts are coming.

Unveiling of HK$1.8 billion 11-storey training centre on the airport island of Chek Lap Kok was originally scheduled for September 25.

Year-on-year figures for the busy holiday month of August plummet as anti-government protests continue to rock the city, with demand for business class travel experiencing a ‘more significant drop’.

The state-owned carrier already owns 29.99 per cent of Cathay, the legal maximum at a Hong Kong-listed company. Aviation veteran Stanley Hui says a full takeover would send the wrong signal to investors abroad.

Slosar ends 39-year career with Swire Group, which included appointments as CEO of Cathay Pacific from 2011 to 2014 and then as chairman since 2014

Move comes as mainland China’s airline regulator joins Civil Aviation Department and police in investigating the oxygen bottle situation.

When the Airbus A330 arrived from Bali, its oxygen bottles were full. By the time it was preparing for take-off to Kuala Lumpur the next morning, one of its canisters had been discharged. Police have been called in.

Authorities will not rule out cancelling flights as they produce contingency measures to reduce take-offs and landings in response to two-day demonstration threat.

Policy, updated in May 2019, tells staff to report anonymously if they suspect a breach of code of conduct or the law, or have concerns about serious wrongdoing.

At least 20 aviation workers sacked or have resigned after Beijing exerted pressure. Cathay declined to comment on dismissal.

Beleaguered airline blames deteriorating financial situation on anti-government protests that have been rocking the city since early June.

All 13 discharged or partially discharged canisters were found on two flights earlier this month. News comes as carrier bears the brunt of pressure from Beijing over staff who support anti-government protests in its home city.

American airline giant does not directly blame protests – and will add another direct flight from San Francisco. Customers to get refunds.

Protesters fail to show up in enough numbers to disrupt traffic by 7am, but announce they will come back with same plan next weekend.

Cathay Dragon union leader Rebecca Sy says she was questioned by bosses about three Facebook posts and then told she had been dismissed from her job as a flight attendant.