Cathay Pacific investigating rumours of anonymous letter from staff reiterating support for Hong Kong protests

Cathay Pacific Airways said on Sunday it was investigating online rumours about an anonymous letter said to be from its employees, reiterating their support for the ongoing anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

“While we cannot confirm the authenticity of this letter, we are taking the matter very seriously and are conducting an internal investigation,” the airline said in a statement.

Cathay has come under intense pressure from Beijing, after some of its staff supported the protests that have been going on for nearly three months. Over the past fortnight, the airline sacked two pilots for being involved in the protests, and also two ground staff.

There has also been a major shake-up at the top, with the airline’s chief executive officer, Rupert Hogg, and one of his key deputies, Paul Loo Kar-pui, resigning last Friday.

The anonymous letter, claiming to be from Cathay employees, attacked the Hong Kong government for not responding positively to protesters, including the estimated two million people who marched on June 16.

It criticised Beijing for using flight safety as an excuse to enforce political suppression and get employees sacked for supporting the protests, saying this was “white terror” against freedom of speech.