Hong Kong media say more than 100 flights have been cancelled at the city’s airport as a general strike called to support pro-democracy protests gets underway.
Public broadcaster RTHK said on Monday that domestic carriers such as Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines were the most affected.
A citywide strike and demonstrations in seven districts in Hong Kong have been called for Monday afternoon. They follow a weekend of clashes with police on the streets.
There was also commuter chaos across Hong Kong on Monday morning as protesters blocked train and platform doors to prevent trains leaving stations during the peak hour.
Subway and train operator MTR said services had been partially suspended on four lines because of door obstructions.
For the first time this morning, passengers at Admiralty Station are told to leave the Chai Wan-bound train. Staff are telling them there will be no train to Wan Chai from Admiralty for now pic.twitter.com/y24sNU93Sm
— Chris Lau (@hkchrislau) August 5, 2019
Chief executive Carrie Lam was due to speak to the media at 10am (local time) on Monday – her first public statement in a fortnight.
It’s the third time in three weeks that protesters have disrupted the train service.
There have been protests in Hong Kong throughout summer. A movement against an extradition bill that would have allowed residents to be sent to mainland China to stand trial has expanded into demands for an investigation into alleged police abuse at protests and the dissolution of the legislature.
The departures & arrivals boards of the Hong Kong Airport are displaying some 140+ cancelled flights for 5 August, the day of a planned major citywide strike. Here are just a few. Most are Cathay/Cathay Dragon flights. #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/RBkxR78DJU
— Mary Hui (@maryhui) August 4, 2019
Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters returned to the streets on Sunday, calling for a general strike. One group briefly blocked access to the Cross Harbour Tunnel, causing traffic chaos, while others set up barricades on shopping streets.
The action brought the streets of Mong Kok, one of the world’s most densely populated areas, to a standstill as shops and malls shut their doors early in anticipation of possible clashes with riot police.
China is reported to have massed forces across the border in Guangzhou, raising fears the protests could be crushed as was Beijing’s pro-democracy movement by the Tienanmen Square massacre.
-with AAP
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