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| Cathay Pacific boss Rupert Hogg quits after protest row | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The chief executive of Hong Kong flag-carrier Cathay Pacific has quit after the airline became embroiled in the controversy over protests there. | |
| Rupert Hogg said he was taking responsibility as these had been "challenging weeks" for the airline. | Rupert Hogg said he was taking responsibility as these had been "challenging weeks" for the airline. |
| Some of its employees took part in the protest, but China ordered the airline to suspend staff who did so. | Some of its employees took part in the protest, but China ordered the airline to suspend staff who did so. |
| Cathay's chairman, John Slosar, said it was time to put "a new management team in place who can reset confidence". | Cathay's chairman, John Slosar, said it was time to put "a new management team in place who can reset confidence". |
| Paul Loo is also leaving as chief customer and commercial officer. | Paul Loo is also leaving as chief customer and commercial officer. |
| Mr Hogg said: "These have been challenging weeks for the airline and it is right that Paul and I take responsibility as leaders of the company." | Mr Hogg said: "These have been challenging weeks for the airline and it is right that Paul and I take responsibility as leaders of the company." |
| Growing pressure | Growing pressure |
| Last week, Cathay Pacific had told its staff it would not stop them joining the pro-democracy demonstrations currently sweeping Hong Kong. | Last week, Cathay Pacific had told its staff it would not stop them joining the pro-democracy demonstrations currently sweeping Hong Kong. |
| But on Monday, Mr Hogg warned staff they could be fired if they "support or participate in illegal protests". | |
| Cathay faced pressure online after China's state-run press fuelled a #BoycottCathayPacific hashtag, which trended on Chinese social media. | Cathay faced pressure online after China's state-run press fuelled a #BoycottCathayPacific hashtag, which trended on Chinese social media. |
| Beijing's aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), required Cathay to submit lists of staff working on flights going to the mainland or through its airspace. | Beijing's aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), required Cathay to submit lists of staff working on flights going to the mainland or through its airspace. |
| It also had to submit a report on planned measures to "strengthen internal control and improve flight safety and security". | It also had to submit a report on planned measures to "strengthen internal control and improve flight safety and security". |
| Cathay Pacific said that Mr Hogg had been replaced by Tang Kin Wing Augustus and Mr Loo by Ronald Lam. | Cathay Pacific said that Mr Hogg had been replaced by Tang Kin Wing Augustus and Mr Loo by Ronald Lam. |
| The airline is currently majority-owned by the Swire investment company, while Air China has a 30% stake. Qatar Airways also owns a stake. | The airline is currently majority-owned by the Swire investment company, while Air China has a 30% stake. Qatar Airways also owns a stake. |
| Cathay's new chief executive Mr Tang was the head of Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company, which is also owned by Swire. Mr Lam was head of Cathay's low-cost service Hong Kong Express. | Cathay's new chief executive Mr Tang was the head of Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company, which is also owned by Swire. Mr Lam was head of Cathay's low-cost service Hong Kong Express. |
| Mr Slosar said that while Mr Hogg and his team had carried out a three-year turnaround plan, "recent events have called into question Cathay Pacific's commitment to flight safety and security and put our reputation and brand under pressure". | Mr Slosar said that while Mr Hogg and his team had carried out a three-year turnaround plan, "recent events have called into question Cathay Pacific's commitment to flight safety and security and put our reputation and brand under pressure". |
| "This is regrettable as we have always made safety and security our highest priority," he said. | "This is regrettable as we have always made safety and security our highest priority," he said. |
| The new bosses "have the experience and depth of knowledge of aviation and our people to be strong and effective leaders of Cathay Pacific at this sensitive time", he added. | The new bosses "have the experience and depth of knowledge of aviation and our people to be strong and effective leaders of Cathay Pacific at this sensitive time", he added. |
| Meanwhile, Hong Kong's richest man, Li Ka-shing, has taken out a series of full-page newspaper ads in an attempt to calm rising tension within the territory, urging people to "love China, love Hong Kong and love yourself". | |
| But the Chinese star of the upcoming Disney live-action remake of Mulan has expressed support for Hong Kong police in the wake of the pro-democracy protests. | |
| In a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, actress Liu Yifei wrote: "I support Hong Kong police. You can attack me now," adding in English: "What a shame for Hong Kong." | |
| 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. | 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. |
| The airport is one of the world's busiest, and the Airport Authority has obtained a temporary injunction banning protesters from entering certain areas. | The airport is one of the world's busiest, and the Airport Authority has obtained a temporary injunction banning protesters from entering certain areas. |
| The protests began over plans that would have allowed extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China, but they have broadened into a pro-democracy movement concerned about China's growing influence in the city. | The protests began over plans that would have allowed extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China, but they have broadened into a pro-democracy movement concerned about China's growing influence in the city. |
| Mr Slosar said Cathay was "fully committed to Hong Kong under the principle of 'one country, two systems' as enshrined in the basic law". | Mr Slosar said Cathay was "fully committed to Hong Kong under the principle of 'one country, two systems' as enshrined in the basic law". |
| This is a reference to the fact that despite being part of China, Hong Kong receives "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs". | This is a reference to the fact that despite being part of China, Hong Kong receives "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs". |
| "We are confident that Hong Kong will have a great future," he added. | "We are confident that Hong Kong will have a great future," he added. |
| Mr Hogg was born in Portsmouth, has a degree from Edinburgh University, and joined John Swire & Sons - part of the Swire conglomerate of businesses - in 1986. He has worked in Sydney, Hong Kong and South East Asia. | Mr Hogg was born in Portsmouth, has a degree from Edinburgh University, and joined John Swire & Sons - part of the Swire conglomerate of businesses - in 1986. He has worked in Sydney, Hong Kong and South East Asia. |