On August 9, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) barred Cathay Pacific aircrew who had joined or supported the protests from operating flights to mainland China, or flying through its airspace, among other measures. Hogg and Loo resigned on August 16 to take responsibility for the recent events.

Tam, 44, revealed his resignation online on Tuesday, saying it brought an end to his 18-year Cathay career.

“I decided to give up this job that I love,” Tam wrote.

“The aim is to protect this company … from more unreasonable attacks.”

A Cathay Pacific spokeswoman said of the pilot: “We can confirm that he is no longer an employee of the company.”

Tam said his ties with the airline had led to attacks from pro-Beijing individuals, including legislator Paul Tse Wai-chun and former chief executive Leung Chun-ying, since he joined the Legislative Council three years ago.

Recently, Leung shared one of Tam’s protest-related posts on Facebook and added: “Let me ask everyone, which company is Tam a pilot with?”

Tam has been on the front line of recent protests, alongside other pro-democracy lawmakers, trying to mediate as tensions between police officers and protesters boiled over.

Speaking after his announcement, he said his resignation was not triggered by any particular incident, but was intended to prevent further attacks aimed at the company.

“As I am a public figure, naturally they will bundle me [with the company],” Tam said, adding that Hogg and Loo’s departures showed the carrier was facing immense pressure.

“I hope this political storm in the aviation industry can stop with me.”

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The airline told staff on August 10 that it was “necessary to remind” them that company property was not to be used to post non-work content, and also not to make public announcements not authorised by the firm on planes – a reference to the pilot who told passengers about extradition bill protests on July 26.

The pilot, flying from Tokyo to Hong Kong, was recorded as saying in his pre-landing announcement: “At the moment, there’s a very peaceful and orderly demonstration at the Hong Kong International Airport arrival hall. All the demands [are] to withdraw the controversial extradition bill. So at the moment everything is pretty quiet, pretty peaceful, so don’t be scared by all these people wearing black and sitting in the arrival hall.

“Actually, do feel free to talk to them to know more about Hong Kong if you want to. Last but least, Hongkongers add oil, and take care.”

The company memo read: “Please remember your actions and behaviour on the aircraft would be treated as representing that of Cathay.”

Tam disclosed that his exit title with the airline was “subject-matter expert” – a position he took in 2016, when his election to the legislature meant he had to stop flying regularly.

To maintain his aircraft rating – which dictates what types of plane he can fly – Tam did flight simulations with the company once every three months.

He said he would not lose his pilot’s licence, but added that he had no plans to seek a new employer.

“Rather than having the freedom to pilot planes, I want to focus on safeguarding our freedoms with Hongkongers,” Tam said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor refused to comment on Beijing’s pressure on Cathay.

“I cannot comment, as the chief executive, on the commercial decisions of individual companies,” she said.

Asked if Hong Kong was still the world’s freest economy, she said: “I remain convinced that Hong Kong has her unique advantages.”

Augustus Tang, the new Cathay CEO, issued a memo to staff on Monday calling for full compliance with the CAAC’s demands.

“Right now, we are one of the most watched companies in Hong Kong and indeed the world,” Tang wrote.

“As such… each one of us carries a personal responsibility to make absolutely sure that our reputation for safety and security is untarnished.”

Additional reporting by Danny Lee