The Board of Directors today announced it had accepted the resignations of CEO Rupert Hogg and Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Paul Loo.
The chief executive of Cathay Pacific Airways, one of Hong Kong's most prominent companies, resigned Friday following pressure by Beijing on the carrier over participation by some of its employees in anti-government protests.
The airline also said Paul Loo has resigned as chief customer and commercial officer, to be replaced by the head of its low-priced arm Hong Kong Express, Ronald Lam.
The company chairman, John Slosar, said in a statement the airline needed new management because events had "called into question" its commitment to safety and security.
Mr Hogg said these had been "challenging weeks" and it was right for him and Mr Loo to take responsibility as leaders.
Cathay, which has been Hong Kong's gateway to the world for more than half a century, is caught between the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, where it employs more than 27,000 people, and the Chinese government which has taken a grim view of the protests.
Hogg told employees the company was legally required to comply, and confirmed staff would be "immediately suspended" from any flights or "air transportation" in China if they were involved in protests.
Fired up by the thunderous state media articles, China's heavily censored social media platforms lit up with indignation from people vowing never to fly Cathay again. After Cathay pilots and attendants took part in strikes and protests, China's aviation regulator levied a swathe of curbs on the airline, which is increasingly reliant on mainland traffic.
June 9 was the first of many mass protests against the extradition bill in Hong Kong.
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Hong Kong International Airport has been closed at times this week in the wake of the massive anti-government protests that have paralysed one of Asia's key transport hubs.
Cathay this week canceled 272 flights, affecting more than 55,000 passengers, as its home airport was shutdown by protests.
"If you look at all their last three to four CEOs, they have all been with the group for at least 20 years", he said.
The airline was targeted by Beijing for what was seen as its failure to rein in staff taking part in protests gripping the city over the last 10 weeks.
Critics say the autonomy agreed when the former British colony returned to China in 1997 is being eroded by Beijing. He has been replaced by Ronald Lam.
Lawrence Lau, a Hong Kong lawyer, told NOW that those under arrest have the right to not unlock their phones for police, unless the information is suspected to risk causing immediate harm.
Protesters supporting the activists paraded banners reading "Will Britain hold China to its promise on Hong Kong's freedom?", "Power to the people: stand with Hong Kong" and "Will Boris surrender to China?", referring to new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
But not a word was mentioned by Alibaba on the Hong Kong listing when it released estimate beating earnings on Thursday nor did the offer come up in the hour-long discussion with analysts after the results. It added: "We resolutely support the Hong Kong SAR government, the chief executive and the police in their efforts to restore law and order ..."
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