A video posted on Xiaohongshu showed a man being escorted off the flight by US Customs and Border Protection officers. - Photo: Handout / Willa Wu
BEIJING: An elderly passenger was handcuffed and escorted off a Cathay Pacific Airways’ flight by American law enforcement after the plane landed in San Francisco, Hong Kong’s flag carrier has confirmed, saying the man had been disruptive on board.
Cathay said on Saturday the man’s unruly conduct on flight 872 from Hong Kong to San Francisco on October 9 had affected the safety of other passengers.
“Despite a verbal warning from the cabin crew, the disruptive behaviour persisted,” the carrier’s spokesman told the Post. “A written warning was also issued and local enforcement was notified to accompany the customer to disembark from the flight on arrival.”
No passengers or staff were injured in the incident, while the elderly man was now barred from all flights operated by the Cathay Group, according to the company.
“The safety of our customers and crew guides every decision we make,” the spokesman added.
The airline did not give details of the arrested passenger.
A video clip lasting approximately 33 seconds has been circulating online lately, capturing the moment an elderly man was handcuffed and escorted off a Cathay Pacific flight by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.
The Cantonese-speaking man can be heard yelling in the video, protesting loudly.
“What law have I broken? If I have broken the law, then I should be punished by the law, but I haven’t done anything wrong!” He also shouted that he is now in his 80s.
According to information online, the man was said to have requested to open the aircraft door in flight. With his request denied, the man allegedly engaged in disruptive behavior, leading to his removal by law enforcement upon landing in San Francisco.
In a response to media inquiries, Cathay Pacific confirmed that the incident occurred on flight CX872, which departed from Hong Kong on October 8.
The airline said the passenger’s actions were deemed disruptive and posed a risk to flight safety. Crew members issued both verbal and written warnings before notifying local authorities upon arrival.
The airline also noted there were no injuries reported among crew members or passengers.
Cathay Pacific reiterated that all decisions made were primarily focused on ensuring the safety of both passengers and crew.
Due to the man’s actions, the airline said it had notified the passenger that he is now banned from flying with the airline.
