******************************************************
The first extra flight arranged by Cathay Pacific Airways Limited as per its agreement with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is expected to arrive in Hong Kong tonight, while another will depart tonight, bringing home hundreds of Hong Kong students stranded at a Heathrow airport hotel, a government spokesperson said today (December 22).
"The first additional flight left Manchester Airport last night (UK time), carrying 250 Hong Kong stranded students. The flight is expected to arrive in Hong Kong around 8pm," the spokesperson said.
"The second extra flight will depart around 1pm (UK time) today, clearing all the 400 students stranded at the Park Inn Heathrow Hotel. In addition, about 80 students holding non-Cathay Pacific air tickets have been arranged by the HKSAR Government to board the flight."
Cathay Pacific Airways Limited is operating three additional flights from December 21 to December 23, providing around 1,000 seats, sufficient to bring all the stranded students back to Hong Kong.
From December 17 until today, the Immigration Department received 591 requests for assistance, which have been actively handled.
Staff of the London Economic and Trade Office (ETO), eight staff members of the Immigration Department and officials from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, will continue to assist any stranded students.
The spokesperson said, "The Government and airlines will continue to closely assess and monitor the situation. As Heathrow airport gradually resumes normal operations, the airlines will continue with efforts to bring home stranded students."
Ends/Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:31
NNNN
