Cathay Pacific asks Hong Kong aircrew to ditch BN(O) passports as row between Britain and China intensifies
- Internal email requests that local employees change travel document in system to HKSAR passport
- China said BN(O) would not be recognised after Britain’s decision to open visa applications scheme to Hongkongers
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.