High Court Extends Ban Of Airport Protests

The High Court on Friday extended a temporary ban on any action that would obstruct or interfere with airport operations, saying this is vastly important to Hong Kong's international reputation and business interests.

The injunction was extended until further notice, and comes as anti-government protesters plan another blockade of the airport on Saturday by overloading the roads and public transport to Chek Lap Kok.

The judge, Wilson Chan, said he's aware of the protest plans, and such activities are not approved by the police. Therefore he agreed with the Airport Authority's request to extend the ban with no hesitation.

Justice Chan said he agrees with the authority that the damage to the airport would be immeasurable should the route to Chek Lap Kok be blocked. He noted that no party came forward to oppose the application to extend the ban.

The authority issued a statement saying “blocking roads connecting to the Airport may constitute acts of unlawfully and wilfully obstructing or interfering with the proper use of the Airport.”

The authority first sought the temporary ban last week after peaceful demonstrations at Chek Lap Kok turned violent, causing nearly a thousand fights over two days to be cancelled. That ban was to end on Friday.

It said restrictions on who can enter the airport will also continue indefinitely. Only passengers who have tickets for a flight in the next 24 hours, and a valid travel document, or airport staff, are allowed to enter the terminal buildings.

Meanwhile, the authority also put out advertisements on newspapers urging people not to disrupt the airport's operations.

It urges young people who loves Hong Kong not to support or take part in actions that would damage the airport's international image, so that people working in industries such as aviation, tourism and logistics can keep their jobs.

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