Government Completes Review of Report on Investigation into Aircraft Communication Loss Incident

Government completes review of report on investigation into aircraft communication loss incident

The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) said today (August 14) that the Government has received and completed the review of the full investigation report submitted by Cathay Pacific Airways (CPA) in regard to an incident on July 4, in which a CPA flight from Hong Kong to London's Heathrow experienced a loss of communication with the local air traffic control unit during its flight.

The Civil Aviation Department, Photo source: reference image

The report indicated that the aircraft's communication equipment operated normally. The incident involved the incorrect selection of radio frequency by the concerned flight crew due to a mistaken response to air traffic controllers' instructions for another flight, and the flight crew did not subsequently realise the loss of communication.

After the incident, CPA has implemented a host of improvement measures, including enhancing the operational and monitoring procedures for the flight crew regarding the communication system, and reminding the flight crew to be more vigilant at all times.

CAD expressed serious concern over the communication loss incident and has instructed CPA to robustly follow up on the relevant improvement measures, including providing additional training and assessment for the concerned flight crew. CAD reiterated the importance of maintaining good communications between the flight crew and air traffic controllers at all times to ensure aviation safety. CAD has also instructed CPA to enhance the reporting mechanism on aviation safety incidents. CPA implemented the related improvement measures in mid-July and CAD will continue to closely monitor the effectiveness of the measures implemented by CPA.

Cathay Pacific Airways, Photo source: reference image

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing of duty-not-paid cigarettes

Two incoming male passengers were each sentenced to six months' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (September 7) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted two incoming Mainland male passengers, aged 32 and 42, at Hong Kong International Airport on September 5 and 6 respectively, seized a total of 61 816 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $280,000 and a duty potential of about $205,000 from their personal baggage. The two passengers were subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases