Cathay Pacific moves forward Hong Kong boarding gate closure times by 5 minutes
From June 1, airline will also start boarding passengers five minutes earlier to help ensure on-time departures
Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways will move forward its boarding gate closure times by five minutes and will start boarding passengers five minutes earlier to help ensure on-time departures.
The airline said on Thursday that, from June 1, its boarding gates at Hong Kong International Airport would close 15 minutes before departure. The carrier’s boarding time will also be brought forward by five minutes.
Cathay explained that late-arriving or no-show passengers were a key cause of delays, as safety regulations required removing their checked baggage from the aircraft hold before departure.
It added that the changes aligned with international best practices and reflected customer feedback prioritising punctuality. The adjustments are intended to give passengers more time to settle in before departure.
“We encourage all customers to pay attention to the boarding time printed on their boarding pass,” it said. “Arriving at the gate on time and prepared will ensure a smooth boarding process, timely departure and a better journey for everyone on board.”
Other local airlines vary in their gate closing times.