https://www.scmp.com/rss/502335/feed Articles on safe travel for millennials, including trip planning, vaccinations, local laws and customs, travel security, travel health and travel updates. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk A Bangladeshi man who jumped onto the train tracks to shield his baby with his body as a train ran over them has gained kudos but also criticism from social media users after a video went viral. The family had been travelling on the Dhaka-bound Titas commuter train at Bhairab Railway Station, according to a report by Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Sun. When the train, which was delayed by about 1½ hours, pulled into the station at about 3.30pm on Tuesday, the family reportedly failed to get... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3352377/viral-video-bangladeshi-father-saving-baby-under-moving-train-raises-safety-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3352377/viral-video-bangladeshi-father-saving-baby-under-moving-train-raises-safety-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 10:22:55 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Travelling is as much about impressing others as about experiencing for many social media users nowadays. The temptation to go the extra mile to show off something extraordinary can be overpowering, so much so that it may eclipse common sense and result in injuries or even fatal mishaps. The tragic death of a mainland visitor in Sai Kung on New Year’s Eve – reportedly after slipping from a cliff while taking pictures – is yet another grim reminder of the risk that too many are willing to take... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3338512/tourists-must-put-safety-first-quest-perfect-photo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3338512/tourists-must-put-safety-first-quest-perfect-photo?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Jan 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China has issued four travel advisories warning of risks in the Philippines since April, with analysts saying that two-way trade, investment and higher education exchanges could slow if they are heeded by Chinese citizens. The latest notice, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 30, described public security in the Philippines as “unstable” with “numerous crimes targeting Chinese citizens”. A similar advisory went out on April 1, and the Ministry of Education issued warnings in... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3325357/what-will-chinas-travel-warnings-about-philippines-mean-business-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3325357/what-will-chinas-travel-warnings-about-philippines-mean-business-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Sep 2025 06:00:15 +0000 Danielle Popov Danielle Popov The ramifications of China’s power bank scandal, which prompted an emergency ban of substandard models on domestic flights, have extended to a mainland court, where troubled manufacturer Romoss Technology was slapped with a lawsuit for unpaid funds. Shenzhen-based electronics contract manufacturer Zowee Technology filed the lawsuit at the People’s Court of Pengjiang district in Jiangmen, a city in southern Guangdong province, where it sought 136.26 million yuan (US$19 million) in damages against... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3324331/chinas-power-bank-scandal-leads-suppliers-lawsuit-against-romoss-unpaid-funds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3324331/chinas-power-bank-scandal-leads-suppliers-lawsuit-against-romoss-unpaid-funds?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:00:09 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service A ceasefire in the Middle East between Iran and Israel is holding steady, but international travellers remain on edge over the potential for instability in the region. According to the 2025 Traveller Safety and Sentiment Survey conducted by rescue and evacuation company Global Rescue, 78 per cent of travellers said they are either “very concerned” (23 per cent) or “somewhat concerned” (55 per cent) about the impact of geopolitical instability on their travel plans from now until the end of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3318991/worried-about-travel-safety-2025-follow-these-expert-tips-stay-protected?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3318991/worried-about-travel-safety-2025-follow-these-expert-tips-stay-protected?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Jul 2025 09:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Safety is paramount in air travel, so it is not surprising that airline passengers have tended to back recent crackdowns on in-flight use of power banks after some were linked to fires. Traveller support was understandably in short supply, however, after a ban was suddenly imposed on flights in China, causing chaos and confusion. The incident should serve as a reminder to aviation officials in the country and around the world that safety measures must be balanced with passenger needs. Many... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3318105/aviation-officials-should-balance-safety-efforts-passenger-needs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3318105/aviation-officials-should-balance-safety-efforts-passenger-needs?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Jul 2025 22:45:07 +0000 Danielle Popov,Hannah Wang Danielle Popov,Hannah Wang Chinese manufacturers of power banks – the ubiquitous portable batteries used by travellers to charge smartphones, tablets and laptops – are under increased public scrutiny, following a spate of incidents in which defective units were found to have caught fire during commercial flights. That prompted the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to impose an emergency ban on air passengers carrying substandard power banks, a safety precaution that went into effect on June 28. Portable... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3317936/no-fly-zone-what-brought-about-chinas-largest-power-bank-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3317936/no-fly-zone-what-brought-about-chinas-largest-power-bank-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Jul 2025 02:30:07 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Travellers racing to catch a flight at US airports are no longer required to remove their shoes during security screenings, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Tuesday. Noem said the end of the ritual put in place almost 20 years ago was effective nationwide effective immediately. She said a pilot programme showed the Transportation Security Administration had the equipment needed to keep airports and aircraft safe while allowing people to keep their shoes on. “TSA will no longer... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3317459/us-airports-may-soon-let-travellers-keep-shoes-during-security-checks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3317459/us-airports-may-soon-let-travellers-keep-shoes-during-security-checks?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Jul 2025 20:24:08 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Whether your holiday plans involve a romantic getaway to a faraway locale or just a summer visit with the grandchildren, odds are a plane will be involved. For the most part, planes are a great way to travel, health experts say. “Overall, it’s a very safe mode of transport,” says Dr Leigh Speicher, an aerospace medicine specialist who is president of the US Civil Aviation Medical Association. But commercial air travel does come with some health baggage. Issues range from simple stress to complex... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3316333/how-stay-healthy-when-you-fly-your-heart-your-lungs-and-sinuses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3316333/how-stay-healthy-when-you-fly-your-heart-your-lungs-and-sinuses?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Jul 2025 09:15:07 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A man in southwestern China has been filmed with a giant fish tied to the back of his car as a trophy, much to the delight of mainland internet users. However, traffic police in Guigang, a city in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said they would punish him for his “bad behaviour”, the news website cqcb.com reported. According to a viral video clip, the driver, whose identity was not released in the report, bound the head and tail of the fish to the back of his car before driving around the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3311099/chinese-fishing-fan-hangs-big-catch-car-while-driving-slapped-fine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3311099/chinese-fishing-fan-hangs-big-catch-car-while-driving-slapped-fine?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 May 2025 01:00:09 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk A passenger on an Air Busan flight from South Korea to China was detained by police after touching an emergency exit door mid-flight on Monday, amid heightened concerns about in-flight safety after recent similar incidents. The incident occurred on Air Busan flight BX337, which departed from Gimhae International Airport in Busan at 9.48am bound for the northeastern Chinese city of Yanji. According to airline industry sources, a flight attendant intervened after the male passenger put his hand on... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3308381/air-busan-passenger-detained-chinese-police-after-latest-emergency-door-scare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3308381/air-busan-passenger-detained-chinese-police-after-latest-emergency-door-scare?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Apr 2025 09:56:17 +0000 Sammy Heung Sammy Heung The death of a 38-year-old Chinese national from Hong Kong while snowboarding at a popular ski resort in northwestern Japan has thrown the safety risks of the sport into the spotlight, especially for residents who might not have much experience on the slopes. The Post examines how individuals can stay safe while skiing and what measures to take in case of injuries. 1. What happened in the recent accident? According to Kyodo News on Sunday, two of the man’s friends lost contact with him last... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3307362/ready-your-next-ski-trip-how-hongkongers-can-stay-safe-slopes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3307362/ready-your-next-ski-trip-how-hongkongers-can-stay-safe-slopes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Apr 2025 15:00:35 +0000 China’s government on Wednesday issued two warnings to its citizens about travel to the United States, noting a deterioration in bilateral relations as the two countries slap hefty tariffs on each other’s imports. “Due to the deterioration of Sino-US economic and trade relations and the domestic security situation in the United States, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism reminds Chinese tourists to fully assess the risks of travelling to the United States and travel with caution,” the ministry... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3305892/china-issues-two-warnings-about-us-travel-its-citizens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3305892/china-issues-two-warnings-about-us-travel-its-citizens?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:49:52 +0000 Regional cooperation is key to combating the rapid growth of phone fraud and organised cross-border crime. Evidence of that includes the recent rescue of six Hongkongers from a forced-labour scam farm in Myanmar. Twenty-five of 28 Hongkongers detained in Southeast Asian countries in scams since 2024 have now been released. These and other rescues are testament to the joint efforts of government officials and police from the mainland, Thailand and Myanmar, as well as Hong Kong, in freeing... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3302299/raise-alert-risk-asian-cross-border-scams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3302299/raise-alert-risk-asian-cross-border-scams?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Mar 2025 22:30:07 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A man in China who was pricked by a left-behind needle on a flight is demanding 130,000 yuan (US$18,000) in compensation for depression caused by his resultant fear of infections. According to the mainland media outlet Jimu News, the man surnamed Fu was pricked by a syringe needle on a China Southern Airlines flight while retrieving his phone from the seat pocket. Fu recalled feeling a sharp sting in his finger and discovering a needle stuck to it, which he suspected was from an insulin... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3301018/chinese-passenger-pricked-stray-needle-flight-gets-depression-seeks-compensation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3301018/chinese-passenger-pricked-stray-needle-flight-gets-depression-seeks-compensation?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Mar 2025 01:00:10 +0000 Olga Wong Olga Wong The last of the six Hongkongers rescued from a scam farm in Myanmar this week has returned to the city, with the Security Bureau pledging to save the three remaining residents on its case list as soon as possible. Authorities said the sixth member of the group arrived home on Saturday morning. The person had stayed in Thailand to help the country’s police with investigations into the trafficking of scam victims to Myanmar to engage in forced labour. “A member of the Security Bureau’s dedicated... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3301599/last-6-hongkongers-recently-freed-scam-farm-myanmar-returns-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3301599/last-6-hongkongers-recently-freed-scam-farm-myanmar-returns-home?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Mar 2025 02:33:13 +0000 An American Airlines regional jet collided with a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington, killing 67 people. A private medical jet crashed in Philadelphia, with seven lives lost. A Delta Air Lines flight to Amsterdam returned to Minneapolis-St Paul for an emergency landing on due to a mechanical issue, with no one hurt. And that was just one recent week in aviation. But even in the wake of these incidents, how dangerous is flying, really? Is this part of a new trend? And what... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3300042/driving-remains-riskier-flying-2025-those-accidents-aside?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3300042/driving-remains-riskier-flying-2025-those-accidents-aside?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Feb 2025 10:15:15 +0000 A British couple charged with spying in Iran during what they called a “slightly bonkers” round-the-world motorbike trip said they had ignored warnings not to travel to the country. Husband and wife Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested in the southeast of Iran earlier this year and on Tuesday Iranian authorities said they had been charged with espionage. Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir said the pair had entered Iran “posing as tourists” and gathered information before their arrest in... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3299217/uk-couple-charged-spying-iran-admit-they-ignored-travel-warnings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3299217/uk-couple-charged-spying-iran-admit-they-ignored-travel-warnings?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Feb 2025 18:11:49 +0000 Visiting unfamiliar places can be as much an enjoyable experience as it is a risky one. Being unaccustomed to the local environment and safety hazards means travel ventures may turn bad. The latest example involves a Hong Kong woman who was killed by a train while taking photos on the railway tracks in a popular tourist city in Japan. The 61-year-old was reportedly taking photos of the sea before being hit by the train at Asari station, in the coastal city of Otaru in Hokkaido on Thursday. The... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3296515/dont-risk-your-life-sake-selfie?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3296515/dont-risk-your-life-sake-selfie?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:00:17 +0000 Dutch university researcher Holger Caesar heads out into the afternoon traffic on a bicycle like no other, equipped to collect data he believes may one day save lives. His blue electric bike, kitted out with an array of laser sensors and scanners, speeds off among thousands of students pedalling home through the campus of the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), in the western Netherlands. The campus of TU Delft is a warren of cycle paths – a perfect encapsulation of life in a country... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3295919/data-driven-approach-road-safety-cyclists-netherlands-uses-lidar-equipped-e-bike?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3295919/data-driven-approach-road-safety-cyclists-netherlands-uses-lidar-equipped-e-bike?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jan 2025 08:15:07 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma A Hongkonger who has been stuck in Thailand after being released from a scam farm in Myanmar will fly home on Monday, before Lunar New Year. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Saturday that members of his bureau’s task force had met the 29-year-old man the night before. “When my colleague called me last night, I could feel how touched my colleague was. [The task force] could finally see that person after so long, they almost hugged each other in tears,” Tang said. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3296248/hongkonger-stuck-thailand-fly-home-monday-after-scam-farm-ordeal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3296248/hongkonger-stuck-thailand-fly-home-monday-after-scam-farm-ordeal?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jan 2025 03:15:17 +0000 Authorities in Thailand have assured Hongkongers that the country remains a safe destination following a spate of human-trafficking cases linked to notorious scam farms along its border with Myanmar. The Thai consulate in Hong Kong on Wednesday also pledged to cooperate with the Hong Kong government and private bodies to address concerns and coordinate with agencies in the country to follow up on any requests. In a statement on Wednesday, the consulate expressed its deep regret that many people... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3295862/thailand-assures-hongkongers-over-safety-amid-forced-labour-scams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3295862/thailand-assures-hongkongers-over-safety-amid-forced-labour-scams?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Jan 2025 14:45:36 +0000 Airports are a world of bustle, with people thundering about dragging suitcases, non-stop announcements and an overwhelming amount of information to digest. Air travel is particularly stressful for the neurodiverse, with a significant chance of sensory overload, especially for people with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). That has prompted a growing number of airports to provide sensory rooms, dedicated areas of calm to help ease some of the stress of travel. From the US airports of Pittsburgh and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3295734/how-airport-sensory-rooms-offer-calm-space-especially-neurodiverse-travellers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3295734/how-airport-sensory-rooms-offer-calm-space-especially-neurodiverse-travellers?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Jan 2025 07:15:15 +0000 Jess Ma,Danny Mok,Natalie Wong Jess Ma,Danny Mok,Natalie Wong Thai authorities are expected to roll out measures to ensure visitors’ safety as part of efforts to combat human trafficking in Southeast Asia, a Hong Kong security official has revealed, as he expressed hopes they can secure the release of 12 residents lured into working at scam farms in the region by Lunar New Year. Returning to the city after a two-day trip to Bangkok, Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip said on Tuesday night that the government would try to establish contact... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3294744/hong-kong-task-force-meets-thai-police-tourism-officials-over-scam-farm-detainees?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3294744/hong-kong-task-force-meets-thai-police-tourism-officials-over-scam-farm-detainees?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jan 2025 12:00:11 +0000 Some Chinese carriers appear to be avoiding the airspace over southwestern Russia after a deadly Azerbaijan Airlines crash that officials in Baku have blamed on the Russian military. China is among the few countries still using Russian airspace for civilian flights since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, flights between western China’s Urumqi and Georgian capital Tbilisi have circumvented southwest Russia’s Dagestan region since an Azerbaijan Airlines... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3293198/air-china-china-southern-appear-avoid-south-russia-after-deadly-azerbaijani-crash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3293198/air-china-china-southern-appear-avoid-south-russia-after-deadly-azerbaijani-crash?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Jan 2025 14:30:08 +0000 In the digital age, it has become commonplace to book hotels, car rentals and plane tickets directly through online sites, bypassing the traditional phone call to a living travel agent. What happens to our personal data once our purchases are made on those websites is not always clear. This is an oversight that needs to be swiftly addressed. The problem came to light after a review of online travel platforms by Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog found one-third of them fail to state their data... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3288891/travel-sites-should-respect-hongkongers-user-data?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3288891/travel-sites-should-respect-hongkongers-user-data?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Dec 2024 22:30:12 +0000 Ambrose Li,Jeffie Lam Ambrose Li,Jeffie Lam The Chinese foreign ministry’s arm in Hong Kong has hit out at a US travel advisory for the city over “slander” related to the national security law, urging Washington to revise its message to avoid hurting ties with the financial hub. The Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong voiced its strong opposition to claims in the government advisory that travellers should “exercise increased caution due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws”. This wording was the same as... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3288576/beijings-foreign-ministry-arm-hong-kong-hits-out-slander-us-travel-advisory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3288576/beijings-foreign-ministry-arm-hong-kong-hits-out-slander-us-travel-advisory?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Nov 2024 15:44:21 +0000 While the travel industry has seen further significant recovery in 2024 from the downturn triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been affected by instability in various parts of the world. From attacks on railway lines during the Paris Olympics to conflicts in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, the year has been fraught with challenges. It is against this backdrop that the international security and medical services provider Global Guardian recently released its 2025 Global Risk... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3288049/riskiest-places-travel-2025-because-war-crime-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3288049/riskiest-places-travel-2025-because-war-crime-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Nov 2024 10:15:08 +0000 Alcohol tainted with methanol is suspected to be the cause of death of six foreign tourists at the popular backpacker destination of Vang Vieng in Laos. Methanol is a toxic alcohol used in industrial and household products like antifreeze, photocopier fluids, de-icers, paint thinner, varnish, and windscreen wiper fluid. Colourless, flammable, and with a similar smell, it can be easily confused with its molecular cousin ethanol, which is usually found in alcoholic drinks. But methanol is toxic to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3288168/methanol-poisoning-its-symptoms-effects-body-treatment-and-why-it-so-deadly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3288168/methanol-poisoning-its-symptoms-effects-body-treatment-and-why-it-so-deadly?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Nov 2024 07:47:07 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft Police have arrested a 49-year-old man from mainland China on suspicion of stealing more than HK$4,300 from two passengers during a flight from Malaysia to Hong Kong, as the city grapples with a rise in such thefts. The force said on Friday it received a report the day before that HK$3,500 (US$450) and S$150 (US$110) was taken from luggage belonging to two passengers. After a preliminary investigation, officers arrested the man, who was carrying a mainland passport, for suspected theft. He was... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3283949/hong-kong-police-arrest-passenger-over-theft-hk4300-board-flight-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3283949/hong-kong-police-arrest-passenger-over-theft-hk4300-board-flight-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Oct 2024 15:14:44 +0000 Cathay Pacific Airways confirmed a flight from New York to Hong Kong was diverted on Wednesday due to a geomagnetic storm, a space weather event meteorology and IT experts said was capable of disrupting GPS navigation and signals. But the meteorologist played down concerns about the geomagnetic storm’s impact over Hong Kong, saying the city was in a low latitude region and unlikely to be affected. Cathay Pacific confirmed on Friday that flight CX831 from New York on Wednesday was diverted and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3282069/cathay-pacific-flight-new-york-hong-kong-diverted-due-geomagnetic-storm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3282069/cathay-pacific-flight-new-york-hong-kong-diverted-due-geomagnetic-storm?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Oct 2024 12:40:55 +0000 In the movie Jaws, a great white shark is depicted as a monster out to kill whomever and whatever it can find in the water. In real life, sharks killing humans is rare. When it does happen, it makes front-page news. The US database International Shark Attack File (ISAF) says the risk of being attacked by a shark is “extremely low”. It registered 57 “unprovoked attacks” worldwide in 2022, five of which were fatal: two in South Africa, two in Egypt and one in the United States. There were also 32... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3278061/why-are-people-afraid-sharks-even-though-there-are-very-few-fatal-attacks-real-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3278061/why-are-people-afraid-sharks-even-though-there-are-very-few-fatal-attacks-real-life?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Sep 2024 05:15:08 +0000 A small passenger plane on a domestic flight in Thailand crashed on Thursday afternoon soon after taking off from the main airport in the capital, Bangkok, the country’s civil aviation authority announced. It appeared that all nine people aboard had been killed. Rescuers found no survivors at the crash site in a mangrove swamp in Chachoengsao province about 40km (25 miles) from the airport, reported Thai media, which said seven passengers and two pilots had been listed as being on board. After... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3275534/5-hong-kong-tourists-believed-dead-thailand-plane-crash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3275534/5-hong-kong-tourists-believed-dead-thailand-plane-crash?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Aug 2024 16:36:29 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese woman who refused to put her designer handbag under the seat in front of her when asked by a flight attendant caused a one-hour delay and had to be escorted off the plane. The incident attracted 4 million views on Douyin and triggered heated discussions after a passenger posted a video clip of it. The passenger, who asked to remain anonymous, said the woman who was sitting in economy class insisted on putting her Louis Vuitton handbag next to her, instead of under the seat in... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3274619/china-woman-kicked-flight-causes-delay-after-refusal-store-luxury-bag-under-seat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3274619/china-woman-kicked-flight-causes-delay-after-refusal-store-luxury-bag-under-seat?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2024 10:25:02 +0000 As airlines spread their wings around the globe again following the long Covid hiatus, a spate of alarming mid-air incidents has heightened concern over air travel. While safety is as much the responsibility of the carrier as it is of those on board, most passengers do not pay much attention to safety instructions, whether they are pre-recorded videos or live demonstrations by crew members. Airlines have to work even harder to attract eyeballs and get the message across. Well aware of the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3273629/last-refreshing-new-air-safety-video-courtesy-hong-kongs-cathay-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3273629/last-refreshing-new-air-safety-video-courtesy-hong-kongs-cathay-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Aug 2024 22:15:08 +0000 Hong Kong’s weather forecaster may issue a No 1 storm warning signal as Super Typhoon Gaemi was expected to enter within 800km (500 miles) of the city on Wednesday night. The Observatory said on Wednesday that Gaemi, which means “ant” in Korean, would stay 600km from the city as it moved across the central and northern parts of Taiwan and hit Fujian province on Thursday. As of 5pm, Gaemi was about 820km east-northeast of Hong Kong. The No 1 signal is issued when a typhoon is centred within 800km... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3271634/hongkongers-brace-scorching-35-degree-heat-under-influence-severe-typhoon-gaemi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3271634/hongkongers-brace-scorching-35-degree-heat-under-influence-severe-typhoon-gaemi?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Jul 2024 02:55:24 +0000 Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has launched an investigation after a toilet door came off mid-flight. Photographs of the incident believed to have been taken by a passenger and circulating online showed a female flight attendant in a cabin crew seat with her hand holding the detached door. Another image shows two individuals standing beside the door on the Airbus A350, seemingly offering assistance. A caption accompanying the images said the door came off three minutes after... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3270714/toilet-door-comes-during-16-hour-cathay-pacific-flight-hong-kong-new-york?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3270714/toilet-door-comes-during-16-hour-cathay-pacific-flight-hong-kong-new-york?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Jul 2024 16:01:19 +0000 Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has launched an investigation into a staff member after a video circulating online showed her throwing suitcases from a flight of stairs and violating the airline’s baggage handling procedures. The airline apologised on Tuesday to passengers for the inconvenience caused. The video circulating online showed a female worker wearing a reflective Cathay Pacific vest working on a staircase running from the plane to the tarmac, repeatedly throwing... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3270703/hong-kongs-cathay-pacific-launches-inquiry-over-video-staff-member-throwing-luggage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3270703/hong-kongs-cathay-pacific-launches-inquiry-over-video-staff-member-throwing-luggage?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Jul 2024 14:54:32 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A first-time air passenger in China who opened an emergency exit on an aircraft after mistaking it for a toilet door sparked a passenger evacuation and flight cancellation. An Air China flight CA2754 from the eastern city of Quzhou had been scheduled to fly to Chengdu in the country’s southwest on July 4. However, a rookie passenger opened an emergency exit door by mistake, causing an evacuation slide to deploy. As a result, the plane had to be emptied of passengers and the flight was... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3269572/first-time-china-flier-opens-emergency-exit-thinking-it-toilet-door-sparks-evacuation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3269572/first-time-china-flier-opens-emergency-exit-thinking-it-toilet-door-sparks-evacuation?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Jul 2024 10:00:17 +0000 Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun on Tuesday apologised to families who lost loved ones in two 737 Max crashes and acknowledged the planemaker’s shortcomings after a January mid-air emergency involving a 737 Max 9 raised alarm about its safety record. “I asked that question every day, have we done enough?” Calhoun said in response to questions at a hearing before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. It marked the first time Calhoun had faced lawmakers’ questions and put the spotlight on... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3267144/boeing-ceo-dave-calhoun-apologises-families-those-who-died-737-max-plane-crashes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3267144/boeing-ceo-dave-calhoun-apologises-families-those-who-died-737-max-plane-crashes?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Jun 2024 19:54:51 +0000 https://www.scmp.com/infographics/asia/south-asia/article/3264547/how-stay-safe-during-severe-flight-turbulence-visual-explainer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/infographics/asia/south-asia/article/3264547/how-stay-safe-during-severe-flight-turbulence-visual-explainer?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 May 2024 04:15:09 +0000 An attack claimed by the Islamic State group that killed foreign tourists visiting a market in central Afghanistan has also dealt a blow to the country’s nascent tourism sector. “If there is another attack in the next few weeks or months, Afghanistan’s tourism industry will be over,” said Joe Sheffer, founder of the Safarat tourism agency, which specialises in tours to the country. He was speaking after the attack by one or more gunmen on May 17 that killed six people in central Bamiyan... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3263440/another-attack-afghanistan-soon-and-tourism-over-tour-agents-react-killing-spanish-tourists-bamiyan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3263440/another-attack-afghanistan-soon-and-tourism-over-tour-agents-react-killing-spanish-tourists-bamiyan?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 May 2024 05:45:08 +0000 A Japan Airlines flight from Dallas to Tokyo was cancelled after a captain got drunk at a hotel bar and received a warning from police, according to Japanese media. The Mainichi newspaper, which cited a statement from Japan Airlines, reported that the captain dined in Dallas last week with other crew members. Japan Airlines imposes 24-hour preflight drinking ban on pilots According to the outlet, the airline said he then continued to drink throughout the evening in the hotel lounge where the... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3260890/drunk-japan-airlines-pilot-causes-dallas-tokyo-flight-cancellation-after-police-warning-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3260890/drunk-japan-airlines-pilot-causes-dallas-tokyo-flight-cancellation-after-police-warning-us?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Apr 2024 06:32:13 +0000 This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong can expect showers and a few severe thunderstorms on Tuesday as the effects of Koinu will still be felt although the typhoon has moved away and weakened, according to the Observatory. The forecaster cancelled all tropical cyclone signals at 4.20pm, before lifting the amber rainstorm warning at 5.45pm. But it said squally showers and thunderstorms... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3237198/typhoon-koinu-hong-kong-issues-t8-signal-suspends-flights-some-public-transport-and-closes-schools?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3237198/typhoon-koinu-hong-kong-issues-t8-signal-suspends-flights-some-public-transport-and-closes-schools?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Oct 2023 04:40:23 +0000 Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog on Thursday urged travellers to be extra vigilant amid increasing complaints over roaming services and inconsistent compensation amounts for mishandled baggage across airlines. The Consumer Council said it received 1,213 complaints against telecom services between January and August, a jump of 70 per cent from 711 in the same period last year, and nearly equalling the 1,246 reports logged for the whole of 2021. “With the vast variety of services available on the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3234487/hk10100-phone-bill-while-travelling-hong-kong-consumer-watchdog-warns-users-against-roaming-charges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3234487/hk10100-phone-bill-while-travelling-hong-kong-consumer-watchdog-warns-users-against-roaming-charges?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Sep 2023 05:14:16 +0000 A US$3 billion project to modernise the main international airport in the Philippines has attracted three potential bidders, including India’s GMR Group, the Philippine transport secretary said on Wednesday. Ranked among the world’s worst international gateways, the ageing Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) badly needs an upgrade to end chronic flight delays, address congestion, and improve facilities. The other two possible bidders were conglomerate San Miguel corporation and a Manila... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3233630/philippine-us3-billion-airport-project-has-3-more-potential-bidders-roadshows-singapore-and-paris?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3233630/philippine-us3-billion-airport-project-has-3-more-potential-bidders-roadshows-singapore-and-paris?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:43:19 +0000 Lebanon’s caretaker premier Najib Mikati said on Saturday there was no cause for “concern or panic” about his country’s security situation, after Germany and Gulf countries issued new travel warnings following outbreaks of violence. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Germany and Britain updated their travel warnings amid clashes between rival armed groups in the Palestinian camp of Ain el-Hilweh in Lebanon’s south. In a statement, Mikati said he had spoken to his security chiefs and assessed that... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3230119/lebanon-seeks-reassure-gulf-germany-uk-after-travel-warnings-amid-violence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3230119/lebanon-seeks-reassure-gulf-germany-uk-after-travel-warnings-amid-violence?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Aug 2023 17:27:25 +0000 Dozens of Hongkongers were stranded in Japan’s Okinawa this week as Typhoon Khanun pummelled parts of the country, leaving two dead and 166,000 households without power. At least 53 residents had contacted Hong Kong’s Immigration Department as of 10am on Friday requesting help to find transport and accommodation in the popular tourist destination. Authorities said in the first six months of the year, 1,365 Hong Kong residents have sought help while overseas. Loss of travel documents and calls... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3229965/typhoon-khanun-left-some-hongkongers-stranded-japan-heres-what-do-if-you-get-stuck-abroad-no-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3229965/typhoon-khanun-left-some-hongkongers-stranded-japan-heres-what-do-if-you-get-stuck-abroad-no-way?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Aug 2023 06:01:37 +0000 Russian officials on Monday encouraged holidaymakers stranded in Crimea to drive home through occupied Ukraine after a Ukrainian attack halted car traffic on the bridge linking the peninsula to Russia. The attack killed two people and left their daughter injured, with President Vladimir Putin ordering authorities to repair the road and help tourists stranded in Crimea. Commercial flights to Moscow-annexed Crimea have been suspended after the start of the offensive in Ukraine, and most Russian... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3228039/crimea-bridge-attack-russia-tells-stranded-tourists-drive-home-occupied-ukraine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3228039/crimea-bridge-attack-russia-tells-stranded-tourists-drive-home-occupied-ukraine?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jul 2023 17:09:57 +0000 Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification. I refer to the article, “Close shave for Hong Kong Cathay Pacific flight, as ‘12 wheels damaged’ when emergency brakes applied just before take-off” (June 24). As a frequent Cathay Pacific... https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3225384/cathay-pacific-emergency-evacuation-penalise-passengers-who-took-their-bags?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3225384/cathay-pacific-emergency-evacuation-penalise-passengers-who-took-their-bags?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jun 2023 03:30:15 +0000