Cathay Pacific announced on May 14 that it will close boarding gates 15 minutes before flight departure starting June 1, five minutes earlier than the previous policy [1].
At the same time, flights departing from Hong Kong International Airport will begin boarding five minutes earlier to maintain schedules and improve punctuality [1, 2].
The airline cited delays caused by late or no-show passengers who must have their checked baggage removed before takeoff as a key reason for the change [1, 2]. These new times align with international best practices and address customer feedback prioritizing on-time departures [1, 2].
Cathay Pacific urged passengers to pay close attention to the boarding time printed on their boarding pass. “We encourage all customers to pay attention to the boarding time printed on their boarding pass. Arriving at the gate on time and prepared will ensure a smooth boarding process, timely departure and a better journey for everyone on board,” a company statement said [2].
The policy change takes effect on June 1 at flights departing from Hong Kong International Airport, marking a shift designed to reduce flight delays and streamline boarding operations [1, 2].
